Red Algae (not Cyano) Taking Over Tank
- Thread starter Pufferpunk
- Start date
Carlos
Premium Member
Algae thrives in low-quality high-nutrient water. You can put all the snails and crabs in the world but if your water is not up to par, the algae will keep coming up or something else will take over. Nutrients have to be consumed somehow when they are not being taken out via skimmer or water changes.
I would make more frequent (smaller) water changes and also make sure the skimmer is working well.... as well as adding some snails and crabs.
Attack the problem but dont forget to tackle the cause as well...
Carlos
I would make more frequent (smaller) water changes and also make sure the skimmer is working well.... as well as adding some snails and crabs.
Attack the problem but dont forget to tackle the cause as well...
Carlos
Pufferpunk
New member
I assure you, that is not cyano. That flat, shiny stuff in the 2nd pic, has more of a plastic consistancy, than slimey.
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Sullyman
Premium Member
Jeni, I agree with you. I've had this turf algae for a while now, that's how it looks as it spreads. May look like cyno but is just the turf branching out.
This red turf is coming in on the base of a lot of aqua cultured corals lately.
I know sallylightfoot crabs eat it, will try some of the others mentioned.
This red turf is coming in on the base of a lot of aqua cultured corals lately.
I know sallylightfoot crabs eat it, will try some of the others mentioned.
The red turf algae I had had an almost brittle consistency to it. When you tried to remove it by hand, it would separate and almost sorta crumble. That's what made it so tough to get out. Every attempt at manual removal necessarily meant a significant amount was going to break off and re-attach somewhere else. I assure you that turbo fluctuosas eradicated this stuff everywhere I had it.
That urchin looks like a blue tuxedo. I have been looking for this particular urchin for some time. If anyone has one they don't want, please let me know. Thanks!
Also, I don't completely buy the nutrient argument for two reasons
1. Different algaes thrive in different environments
2. I don't believe we fully understand algae growth. My reasoning for this is all the anecdotal evidence of people having "perfect" tanks with algae problems. Certainly some of them don't actually have "perfect" tanks, and some of them have perfect test readings because the algae is consuming nutrients. However, it does not follow that all people with clean water and an algae problem have a nutrient problem. I believe that some people really do have perfect water (measured by our standards) and still have algae issues because we don't know all the reasons why algae grows.
That urchin looks like a blue tuxedo. I have been looking for this particular urchin for some time. If anyone has one they don't want, please let me know. Thanks!
Also, I don't completely buy the nutrient argument for two reasons
1. Different algaes thrive in different environments
2. I don't believe we fully understand algae growth. My reasoning for this is all the anecdotal evidence of people having "perfect" tanks with algae problems. Certainly some of them don't actually have "perfect" tanks, and some of them have perfect test readings because the algae is consuming nutrients. However, it does not follow that all people with clean water and an algae problem have a nutrient problem. I believe that some people really do have perfect water (measured by our standards) and still have algae issues because we don't know all the reasons why algae grows.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
Yes, this turf algae was described to me as a "clean water" algae. I never fully bought that before but now I do. Because of other situations -- gracilaria won't grow ("your water isn't dirty enough"), even chaeto won't grow.
The pincushion urchins work well. Try the ones at Coral Reef ... doesn't have to be a blue tuxedo to work. They have these cool looking pink ones they may call "rock urchins" or just pincushion urchins.
Mex turbos, Striped Pacific Turbos, Indonesian turbos ... none touch the stuff. Astraeas are useless on it. Even trochus avoid it. I'm also convinced this stuff killed a lawnmower blenny, a sailfin tang, and perhaps 2 Atlantic Blues. In each case, 2 days after I witnessed these fish eating the stuff, they were gasping and then dead. All with same appearing symptoms of red gills, etc.
All my margaritas ate it (just bought 2 dozen at Deep Reef ... but can't get more there) and some nerites ate it ... the good nerites that stay in the tank. The others didn't go near it.
The pincushion urchins work well. Try the ones at Coral Reef ... doesn't have to be a blue tuxedo to work. They have these cool looking pink ones they may call "rock urchins" or just pincushion urchins.
Mex turbos, Striped Pacific Turbos, Indonesian turbos ... none touch the stuff. Astraeas are useless on it. Even trochus avoid it. I'm also convinced this stuff killed a lawnmower blenny, a sailfin tang, and perhaps 2 Atlantic Blues. In each case, 2 days after I witnessed these fish eating the stuff, they were gasping and then dead. All with same appearing symptoms of red gills, etc.
All my margaritas ate it (just bought 2 dozen at Deep Reef ... but can't get more there) and some nerites ate it ... the good nerites that stay in the tank. The others didn't go near it.
Pufferpunk
New member
If it was a nutrient issue, I would think my fuge woudl take care of that. So can I go back to feeding my tank now? I think they're hungry.
Pufferpunk
New member
That's good--everyone in there is complaining.
Pufferpunk
New member
I just ordered 150 Marg. snails, if anyone's interested. I don't know how much they'll be yet.
Pufferpunk
New member
Not all for me, silly! Just got a break at that price. I ordered thru a friend & he'll sell the rest. Everyone also forgets, I have 4 SW tanks.
Pufferpunk
New member
I'm getting them from the cheapest supplier around. 
