Red Valonia

[sfarid123]

Hello,

Are there any inverts that will eat macro Red Valonia? I have bought 2 emerald crabs and they will not touch this stuff. My 55g reef tank has become infested with this algae

thanks

 

[a2fire2i]

None that I know of. I had it like crazy in my 20L and the crabs never touched it. I tried to siphon it out, and it just got worse.

 

[Grey Reefer]

I pretty sure their is a species of nudi that muches that stuff, but good luck finding it. I have Mexican Turbo snails that eat all kinds of macro algae. I'm not sure if they would eat that stuff though. Urchins might be worth a try. I like pincushion urchins personally.

 

[pIankton]

Red valonia is not a valonia. It's a stemmed macro algae that has extremely similar characteristics as regular valonia. If you pop it, it will spread like wildfire. The best way to manually remove it is to use a small pair of scissors and try to cut the stem as close to the rock as possible. It will continue to grow though. Another way to remove it is get a new sharp chisle and basically carve the rock under the algae. Limestone and calcium based rocks carve pretty easily.

My sailfin tang seemed to really go after it. More so that than any other macro in my display. I've also heard rabbitfish and naso's will eat it.

 

[MushRoomie]

Diadema Urchins munch that stuff very well.

 

[sfarid123]

Thanks for the reply,

As far as the fish goes, they'd probably outgrow my 55g reef and polute the water quality; I am keeping a BTA . Unchins I heard do knock things over and eat coraline.
Are there any other options?
thanks