Algae?

Anybody know what this is? Red coarse filaments that rode in on the substrate rock. My guess is hair algae although it seems too coarse.

 

I believe it is red turf algae and it is the devil. I have been battling it since last summer. If it is only on that rock, I would remove it or it will be everwhere. GFO did nothing to reduce it and biopellets only slowed it down a little. If you can't remove it, I have had some success with turbo snails keeping it in check. I also had a long spined urchin who did a great job on it, but he also ate my superman monti and an acan. Get on it quick and I wish you luck.

 

Just looked closer at your pic and realized it's growing out of your zoas. I don't know what advice to give you about that.

 

I still have this stuff and it sucks. I have upgraded my skimmer. Watched my RO/DI TDS readings like a hawk. I have bought a GFO reactor and switched my halide bulbs to a bluer spectrum (10Ks to Phoenix 14Ks.) It has definitely stopped the spread/growth but hasn't eradicated it yet. I just bought a calcium reactor and I am hoping that will help keep everything chemically balanced enough to get past this hump. Do you have a coral dip and are those corals able to be dipped (on small enough rocks)? I used Coral RX on a few frags and it helped get rid of little algaes. Good Luck!

 

Here's the piece that the previous picture came from:



The zoas+algae are at the top. It's a big piece to dip but I suppose it could be done. I wonder if it would do more harm than good. How about live rock, can it be dipped as well?

 

I don't think a dip in Coral Rx will help much. You can try to remove it manually, but do some research on zoa toxins before messing with them. They can be very dangerous and you need to protect yourself.

If you do remove it manually, don't let any of it get loose in your tank. It can spread quickly. Unfortunately, I know that from experience.

For now, maybe the best bet is to isolate that rock and monitor the other rocks closely to make sure it doesn't spread. I hope you keep it contained.

 

What a beautiful mixed rock! Now I'm inches opposite boat actually trying to get my little sprout of turf algae to grow for my fish, lol.

 

Thanks! It was a good deal but the bulky piece was hard to place. Got a free scarlet hermit and torches snail with it as well

 

I'm going to start pulling it out daily (carfully). I usually wear gloves when I'm messing with the zoas. We'll see how that goes.