Is this Red Bugs?

[SenseiSays]

Sounds like turf algae to me, I had it in my tank and always had low nitrates and phosphates. I threw in a ton of true Mexican turbo snails and boom all the algae was 90% gone and what do you know my nitrates were at 5 and phosphates at almost .1

Even though you can't read the phosphates they are there and could def be affecting your corals. Maybe a better picture of the algae with a nice white led for clarity on it would help out.

Also try and pull it out, if you can pick up a rock and it still have root then definitely the d@mn turf. Your tangs probably love it and keep it mowed for you.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Sounds like turf algae to me, I had it in my tank and always had low nitrates and phosphates. I threw in a ton of true Mexican turbo snails and boom all the algae was 90% gone and what do you know my nitrates were at 5 and phosphates at almost .1

Even though you can't read the phosphates they are there and could def be affecting your corals. Maybe a better picture of the algae with a nice white led for clarity on it would help out.

Also try and pull it out, if you can pick up a rock and it still have root then definitely the d@mn turf. Your tangs probably love it and keep it mowed for you.

Would the Nitrates and Phosphates be a problem if they're reading at nearly nothing? I'll get a picture tomorrow.

 

[SenseiSays]

Would the Nitrates and Phosphates be a problem if they're reading at nearly nothing? I'll get a picture tomorrow.

Not an expert in that field, but when I had it in my tank it would starve out the corals at the base and even though I wasn't able to detect any nutrients my acros never looked good.

Now that I have it taken care of I can finally go strictly acros in my tank and they are all growing like weeds and coloring up beautifully.

They are great food for tangs though, but nothing kills it. I left a live rock from my display out in the sun for two weeks and it was still red/purple in some spots. Put it back in the water and yep still alive. I have a picture somewhere I can post for you. Some turbo snails will get rid of it, then when you don't want them abymore just take them out.

 

[SenseiSays]

That's at two weeks

 

[DopeCantWin]

Interesting. I could pick a few up tomorrow, but then they would have to go through the regular quarantine period.

 

[SenseiSays]

Interesting, haven't heard too many people quarantining inverts. Are you afraid of getting ich?

I know a buddy who gets a jug of tank water and scrubs them down with a toothbrush a million times. What's your reasoning?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Interesting, haven't heard too many people quarantining inverts. Are you afraid of getting ich?

I know a buddy who gets a jug of tank water and scrubs them down with a toothbrush a million times. What's your reasoning?

I look at it as what's the value of putting Acros through quarantine, but not anything else? Why couldn't AEFW be on the shells. I doubt you'll get the eggs off with a toothbrush. But if everyone thinks it's okay, I guess I can jump off the bridge too.

 

[SenseiSays]

I don't think I've ever heard of snails taking out a tank! Haha but thanks for making me paranoid now, my gf already thinks I'm nuts for stranding coral out of the tank by itself. Now she'll look at me staring at snails

 

[DopeCantWin]

I don't think I've ever heard of snails taking out a tank! Haha but thanks for making me paranoid now, my gf already thinks I'm nuts for stranding coral out of the tank by itself. Now she'll look at me staring at snails

My girlfriend likes to show a picture of what she calls "the monstrosity in the house" to anyone who will listen.

 

[SenseiSays]

My girlfriend likes to show a picture of what she calls "the monstrosity in the house" to anyone who will listen.

They just don't understand us! Well atleast I think we are the normal ones? Lol

 

[Peter Eichler]

In a truly healthy SPS tank coraline algae is going to out-compete just about every other form of algae. The only exception might be bubble algae which will grow regardless of the nutrient levels. There is no way your phosphates are as low as you think they are and I'd suggest using a Hanna meter as all other hobby test kits are basically worthless.

What kind of protein skimmer are you using and on what size tank?

That said, nutrients could just be a part of the problem and red bugs or a pest could still be an issue. If you don't have any crabs or shrimp I say just get some sentinel or interceptor spectrum and treat as if you do.

Lastly, you should clip the end of that dead stag off and let it grow...

 

[DopeCantWin]

I just took some tests

Calcium 365 - Salifert - I added roughly 25ppm today and will add another 25 tomorrow to get it back up to normal level. Kalk Reactor isn't keeping up so I'll set up some more automated dosing.

Alkalinity 7.5 Api I have the Hanna and can get more accurate measurement if necessary

Phosphate 0 Salifert I think it's always been 0, even on a Hanna, due to Kalk Precipitation

Nitrates will get in a little bit

I have a Large Longspine Sea Urchin which eats Coraline Algae

Protein Skimmer is a SWC XTREME 230 Cone Protein with a Swabbie

Some algae pictures

 

[SenseiSays]

I dont agree with the coralline algae will out compete turf. That is from my own personal experience. Turf algae can grow in any type of water, and seems to grow even better in cleaner. Doesn't need light and doesn't need a lot of nutrients in the system.

That is definitely turf algae and is the reason you are seeing no phosphates or nitrates. They could be starving your acros and be one of the reasons your colors and coral seem to be "dying".

I would get some TRUE mexican turbo snails (don't let them give you zebra snails) and let them go to town. I put 4 in my 65 gallon and they cleaned it up in a couple of weeks, they do have the tendency of dying once there isn't as much food left. If you have any loose frags id glue them down well since they are the Dick Butkus of snails.

 

[Lowefx]

Im not trying to hijack this thread, but not sure where to ask. Im going to Dip my acros in Bayer tonight. Is it necessary to dip the lps or softies although red bugs dont live on them? Thanks for everyone's help.