Battle with red hair algae

[rallibon]

Thank you It definitely looks like that. Do you think mexican turbo snails eat it? Any other critters that would put a dent in it? I’m going to go with the peroxide route but hopefully I can get something to help me along.

Hi there - found this thread after some extensive searching. I have the same algae issue as you experience(d) in 2019 so wonder how things have progressed. For context I am in the UK and have a 2,000 litre system consisting of large established display and interconnected frag tank, sump and refugium. I started seeng tufts of this fluffy reg algae about 4 years ago in my frag take and DT and have been intermittently battling it ever since. It is definitely not cotton candy algae (callithamnion) nor is it classic red turf algae. It is relatively slow growing, very filamentous and a deep red (not pink). It is not brutally evasive but is is very persistent and will "anchor" itself in rock crevices etc, and it appears broken-off filaments will re-establish elsewhere. I have no option to remove rocks completely or drop my water level significantly to spot treat in open air so over the years I have researched and tried various things on terms of treatments and biological control. I have had some moderate success by spot treatment with Kent Tech M Magnesium (a treatment that worked for me years ago to kill bryopsis). I remember reading somewhere that it is possibly the lithium in the formulation weakens the algae rather that the Mg itself. The algae tends to turn brilliant red after spot treatment and then sometimes is eaten by my tangs or foxface. I am also currently trying a side-by-side test of Kent Tech M alongside spot treatment using H2O2 9% to compare impact. I have recently read somewhere that Aiptasia X may kill certain algae and am just now trying that as well. In terms of biological control I have tried several groups of Mexican Turbos with not much success (some large ones and some smaller) plus the snail species. I have blue tuxedo urchins that seem to not do much. I have read that for some reason red tuxedos are more successful so may try that although some of the algae tufts are in the middle of coral colonies or zoas so unlikely an urchin will be able to reach them. Hermits or emerald crabs do very little. So in summary, having over the last 15 years overcome dines, bryopsis, cyan outbreaks, hydroids, palythoa invasions and all manner of things, this has been my longest struggle (although it is more annoying that existential to the reef). If anyone has any insights or thoughts I would be very grateful - and can post a few pics if anyone is interested.