Hydrogen Peroxide for turf algae

[Theo Reef]

Good day

I've been having a really bad turf algae problem over the past couple of months. It got to the point where all my rock is covered in it. I did manage to find the source- a too small return pump and to little flow in DT. I've rectified this but ended up loosing all my fish due to too much die off in too little time period which caused a ammonia spike. So I ordered a new tank, but I am going to war with this algae.

When moving to the new tank I am planning to scrub the rocks as much as I can but I also plan on doing a hydrogen Peroxide dip, thereafter rinsing it in new SW and putting it in the new tank. So, just some questions.

* Will this work to kill off the turf algae from the rocks?
* How much hydrogen peroxide do I add?
* What concentration do I use for the dip?
* How long do I keep the rocks in the dip?

I would really appreciate some feedback from all you clever people out there

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes it will work..
Use 3% strength hydrogen peroxide
Mix 50% saltwater and 50% peroxide (less peroxide will be ok but just not as strong/fast acting..)

Scrub (toothbrush,etc...) and soak for about 10-15 minutes each piece..
Dip in saltwater to rinse it off..

 

[Theo Reef]

Thank you kindly [MENTION=38412]mcgyvr[/MENTION]. I appreciate your input. So just to make sure, can I do this process as follows-

Container 1: place all rock in container and scrub, brush and go mad on the algae and rocks. Use a pump to blow off any detris from and in rocks.

Container 2: use a 1:1 ratio 3% HP and dip each piece into this container for 10-15 minutes. ( can I use the same solution for all the rocks?)

Container 3: use fresh salt water to rinse rock completely clean.

Thereafter place it back into tank? Am I understanding you correct?

 

[bosshog]

Scrub it
Spray with 3% peroxide let sit in open air for 10 minutes or more, keep them damp by misting lightly with peroxide.
Scrub again rinse in ro/di.
Return to tank.

The rock will bleach a bright white, and lose all Coraline etc. the gha hasn’t come back on any of the rocks I did that to, about 6 weeks ago. I didn’t notice any spikes in nitrate after the treatment, but only did about 15 lbs of rock.

 

[mcgyvr]

Am I understanding you correct?

yep

 

[hegeh]

Since you are dipping it, i guess more H2O2 does not harm but speed up the process of scrubbing the algae?

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[Vinny Kreyling]

Had a bad case of red turf like algae on a rock. Removed & just poured peroxide on it.
Let it stand awhile & just put it back in. A few days later it was all white.

 

[Daddyrawg]

Yes it will work..
Use 3% strength hydrogen peroxide
Mix 50% saltwater and 50% peroxide (less peroxide will be ok but just not as strong/fast acting..)

Scrub (toothbrush,etc...) and soak for about 10-15 minutes each piece..
Dip in saltwater to rinse it off..

^^^ what he said,

I did this on a couple rocks and algae never even grew back on these rocks

 

[Theo Reef]

I’m getting excited about doing this. Been fighting this stuff for I don’t know how long...

 

[Theo Reef]

Sorry for the silly question. When buying the peroxide, should I look for a specific grade, type ect... Should I be concerned about the other ingredients?

 

[Theo Reef]

Also, will this cause my tank to cycle again? I will be removing all my coral and dipping every single rock as almost 97% is covered. Will I loose all my popepods/ worms/starfish and will this cause a cycle again?

 

[Theo Reef]

[MENTION=38412]mcgyvr[/MENTION]

 

[mcgyvr]

It is certainly best to do a bit at a time to attempt to maintain a bacterial population and not kill it all off at once..
Split the work across 4 weekends or so.. 25% at a time

 

[Theo Reef]

[MENTION=38412]mcgyvr[/MENTION] if I do it on separate limes, do I put the newly cleaned rocks back into the tank with the old rocks? Will this not cause the turf on the other rocks to spread over the clean rocks again? Also, do I need to make a new peroxide solution for every cleaning or can I use the same solution over the period of time for all the rovks? Peroxide is not easily accessible in my area so it would be great to use the same solution over the 4 week period.

 

[mcgyvr]

I wouldn't worry about the old rocks effecting the cleaned ones..and yes you will likely need new solution each time

 

[Daddyrawg]

I wouldn't worry about the old rocks effecting the cleaned ones..and yes you will likely need new solution each time

I did this..not only did it rid the algae off rocks but I saw so many pests pop off and die..yuck

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[reefteaser]

I've got algae under control, but occasionally get an outbreak here and there. When it's on something I can remove Ill use a small (hobby/model size) paint brush to apply the peroxide without touching whatever coral is attached. If I'm carefully I can kill the algae with little to no collateral damage to my coral.

 

[hegeh]

I've got algae under control, but occasionally get an outbreak here and there. When it's on something I can remove Ill use a small (hobby/model size) paint brush to apply the peroxide without touching whatever coral is attached. If I'm carefully I can kill the algae with little to no collateral damage to my coral.

Hi. Interesting. How did you do it? Using brush means you brush it in the tank? Wont it gets washed away as you dip in the tank before it reaches the GhA?

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[reefteaser]

Well, like I mentioned, I do it with something I can remove. Most corals can stand being out of the water a short time while the peroxide does it's thing and it doesn't take long. Sometimes I can hold or put it into a position to drip some water on it and not wash the peroxide away.
If the peroxide gets on any coral flesh it will usually damage it, but a little might be acceptable to get a bad spot of algae treated. If the coral is healthy it'll heal up ok.

 

[neoh74]

The turf algae is no joke! I tore a bunch off by hand and placed into a plastic container and forgot about it for four days. It was still alive and green when I remembered to throw it away! Emerald crabs and lawnmower blenny taking care of the rest. Dosed vodka and cutting back feeding for a couple days to ensure nutrients stay low. Hammer coral doesnt like it but don't want that stuff taking over.