algae?

[chrisbeck]

I have this red algae that kills some of my corals. Came on some corals I bought. Red and kinda fuzzy. Anyone have any pointers on how to get rid of it? Chemicals/uv?

[okcChief]

Google "cyanobacteria reef tank" and tell me if it looks like that. How old is your tank?

James

[Socratic Monologue]

In my fuge, I have a red hair algae that looks like the sporophyte stage of Asparagopsis (although I've never seen the gametophyte stage, so the ID is tentative). Anyhow, Mexican Turbos eat it reliably. Since it has never appeared in my display tank, I suspect other algae eaters eat it, too, since I don't always have Turbos in the display.

[chrisbeck]

I know what cyano is. But, this is different. I don't have any snails just hermits and blenny. Maybe I should try the snail thing.

[MadCityReefer]

Does it look like this?

[chrisbeck]

Kinda looks like the pic but more red and not as overgrown. It is really hard to scrape off and seems to grow into the flesh of certain corals but not hurt others. Had to cut it out of one of my plates because I could tell it was creeping farther in. Also, lost a candy cane to it. When threw the tank and took all the rock I coul find with it on it and took it out but seems to still be coming back. Does algaecide kill red too?

[Socratic Monologue]

Does it look like this?

That's Asparagopsis, probably.

[chrisbeck]

how do I get rid of it?

[Socratic Monologue]

In my fuge, I have a red hair algae that looks like the sporophyte stage of Asparagopsis (although I've never seen the gametophyte stage, so the ID is tentative). Anyhow, Mexican Turbos eat it reliably. Since it has never appeared in my display tank, I suspect other algae eaters eat it, too, since I don't always have Turbos in the display.

Mexican Turbos are a good solution, IME. I suspect my tangs (yellow, scopas) eat it, too, simply because it has never appeared in my display.

[chrisbeck]

Just got a yellow tang! I hope he helps. Thanks for the help! Was starting to freak out!

[Socratic Monologue]

I'll bet the tang will help. You might best manually remove whatever algae you can, since tangs are sometimes reluctant to eat algae that's really long; they do better grazing very closely to the rock. Good luck!

[chrisbeck]

thanks for your help.