Red Algae ID

[Potsy]

I posted this in the general, but I figured I'd get some more opinions here...

Can anyone id this red algae? Under the microscope it looks similar to pink cotton candy algae, but it's more of a deeper red color, and shaped more like match head sized short tufts. It'll come off somewhat easily with tweezers or pinching. It will grow anywhere but the glass. Spreads very quickly It is not cyanobacteria.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4xGEaLRep4X2CDp7A
https://photos.app.goo.gl/krnEmVLci8XSKRyh8

 

[Michael Hoaster]

I took a look. It does resemble cotton candy, but it's tuft-y and turf-y looking. Call it Red Tuft Algae, if you like. If you want to get rid of it, I'd suggest trying different herbivores, like snails, tangs, urchins, etc.

 

[Potsy]

Thanks for looking. I do recall getting this algae in my 50 gallon reef back in 2010 from the same lfs most likely. I didn't notice it on any rubble coral bases. Apparently all it takes is a single strand or spore. Urchins got drunk while grazing on it, standing still or falling off the rock work, so it apparently concentrates bromide in its tissues. And last time around Mexican turbos didn't eat it. My tomini tang won't touch it. I don't have many corals yet, so I might just bleach the rock and equipment, and start over.