What to do about algae growing between polyps?

[tinyfish]

I have a small rock of zoanthid polyps but algae keeps growing between and sometimes over the polyps.

I have tried very lightly brushing off the algae, picking it off, washing it off but it always returns.

My other zoanthid rocks do not seem to have this problem.

 

[650-IS350]

when you describe algae what kind?

 

[flyyyguy]

if the algae doesnt seem to be a probolem anywhere else in the tank but that rock, I would assume the rock is phosphate laden and I personally would shave the polyps off, remount them to something else and either toss the rock altogether or toss it aside with any other rock you have and cook it at some point.

regardless, the algae isnt helping them, it needs pulled out with tweezers at a minimum. What kind of algae couold help knowing as well, but if it is just one rock like you say it probably doesnt matter

 

[macclellan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15008394#post15008394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by flyyyguy
if the algae doesnt seem to be a probolem anywhere else in the tank but that rock, I would assume the rock is phosphate laden

Or the algae came in with the zoas and have only grown there and not spread to other rocks.

Manual removal followed by a few drops of hydrogen peroxide works for me. H3O oxidizes algae.

Outside of tank of course, followed by a rinse in a cup of tank water.

 

[tinyfish]

So hydrogen peroxide will not hurt the poyps?

I never thought about phosphate laden rock. Might be true.

 

[650-IS350]

90% water and 10% HP from what I've heard/seen writen here.

 

[tinyfish]

How long do I leave it in the solution?

 

[flyyyguy]

while I am not against some remedies, if you have algae issues it will simply die and or recede in clean water. I wouldnt kill it. pluck it off and see if your tank is really working.......or again, if it still grows like mad, but just on that one rock....get rid of the rock

jmo

 

[tinyfish]

I tried taking a picture but the frag is so small I cannot get an in-focus shot. I did take tweezers to it and I did dip it. I would have transplanted the polyps but I am terrible at doing that and have killed all I have tried.

Lets see how this will turn out given my actions so far.

And thank you all for helping.

 

[toddy boy]

u could do bout a ten min freshwater dip that would help with it as will i do reef dip 4 10 min an fresh 4 10 min on the ones i can get out of the tanks

 

[flyyyguy]

all a freshwater dip is going to do is needlessy stress your polyps, the algae will just chuckle at the attempt

 

[tinyfish]

The hydrogen peroxide seems to have done something. Although the polyps are smaller than I remember, I can definitely see them again and they are opening.

 

[tinyfish]

One week later and all is well. All polyps are opened finally and algae has not regrown.

Are there any other uses for hydrogen peroxide in the aquarium environment?

 

[650-IS350]

Just dips from what I know.