Help with Algae ID

DKoKoMan · #1 12-16-2018, 08:36 PM

hey folks,
Looking to identify this algae that seems to slowly be growing out from various rocks. I have done a bunch of google searches and I’m leaning toward some sort of greenturf algae. I have tried to remove it manually but it’s stuck in between the rock pores and is almost like a stiff velcro texture.

Tank parameters:
Salinity: 35ppt
Alk: 8.5 dkh
Calcium: 450ppm
Magnesium: 1460ppm
Phosphates: 0.03-0.08ppm (fluctuates with no reduction media)
Nitrates: 1ppm

What type of algae?
How to remove it?
Cleanup crew that will eat it?

Couple photos attached! Looking to get rid of this as it is growing by my corals.

Frogger · #2 12-17-2018, 01:38 AM

Yup its turf algae. Its hit or miss with what eats it. Some say take the rocks out of the tank to treat it.

Razor Ramon · #3 12-17-2018, 03:33 AM

Emarald crabs are good workers and the size of your tank you could have several.
Bristle tooth tangs like to graze all the time and don’t get too big .
I saw IA has strawberry snails but there kinda like bulls in a china store if your corals aren’t glued down.
Gfo in a reactor always seems to reduce the green in my tank.😎

Frogger · #4 12-17-2018, 03:59 AM

My bristletooth tang doesn't touch the stuff, nor does he touch hair algae.

My tuxedo urchin doesn't touch either either, he only seems to eat coraline algae and film algae.

Still searching, bought a one spot foxface and he hasn't shown a liking either.

However my yellow tang mowed the stuff down until I fried him. (temperature too high in the tank) The largest inhabitant is always the first to go (low O2).

Still searching as its hit or miss with most algae eating things.

DKoKoMan · #5 12-17-2018, 04:37 AM

I have 5 Tang’s and none are touching this stuff. My urchin spends most the time munching on the coralline algae in the tank. The snails and hermits don’t make a dent. I would pluck it all if I could but it’s extremely difficult to pull off.

Razor Ramon · #6 12-17-2018, 05:53 AM

Sorry to hear about your yellow tang Frogger .
Small young tangs seemed to eat more of that green ,but as the got older all they wanted to eat is the meaty foods I fead the tank .
My powder blue is lazy on eating it too unless he really hungry.
The stuff must taste like crap lol.
Sure hear a lot of talk about “vibrant”
What do you guys think about it .

Frogger · #7 12-17-2018, 08:44 PM

Vibrant works for some but not for others. In a low nutrient system like mine it caused cyanos. I have been battling with cyanos now for 4 months since I used it.

In the process of removing all of my sand bed to finally get these things out of my tank for good.

Have used chemiclean but only works for a short period and then cyanos come back.

DKoKoMan · #8 12-18-2018, 12:00 AM

Not sure where to start battling this algae. All my sps are doing great so I hate to start twisting the system.

Frogger · #9 12-24-2018, 04:15 AM

If you can take the rocks out of the tank you can scrub them, scrape them and spot treat with peroxide. Does wonders and the algae doesn't grow back.

Read https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/re...roxide.187042/

Cujo#31 · #10 12-31-2018, 04:13 AM

Vibrant is hard on a tank. Your best choice is to run a course or two of flocanozole. It does a good number on it until you can get your perams stabilized. I ran flock for about 40 days and it got the GHA under control until my tank stabilized and controlled it on its own. Emerald crabs do help as well. But they can only control minimal growth. They cannot keep pace with a full on bloom. It’s all about nutrient control, and SLOWLY elevating numbers at a pace the tank can maintain.