Fighting Red Turf Algae

[MichaelReefer]

So, this is the first time I have ever had Turf Algae, it is beginning to spread and I want to get a handle on it before it gets crazy. I have been reading up online and it seems like it's pretty hard to fight. I have tried H202 and it doesn't seem to be making a dent at all. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Hugh Mann]

Sadly I do not have advice. I've got my own red turf growing. Very slowly. Stayed more or less the size of a Canadian toonie.
Following to hear the various solutions though.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I'd check your light timeframe, do some manual removal, and depending on what your Phosphate and Nitrates are looking like go from there. Have you checked your parameters recently?

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Also what does your CUC look like?

 

[MichaelReefer]

I'd check your light timeframe, do some manual removal, and depending on what your Phosphate and Nitrates are looking like go from there. Have you checked your parameters recently?

I have.

Alk: 130
PH: 7.8 (working on raising it)
Phos: 0.2
CA: 421
MG:1381
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate 1

 

[MichaelReefer]

Also what does your CUC look like?

I recently got a bigger tank so am working on increasing my CUC. I am trying to get some more Turbo Snails but apparently they are out of season... my LFS is out as well.

I currently have a good 20 hermits, 15-20 misc snails, three fighting conchs.

 

[LOVEROCK]

cornate moon snails , something like that i have read, to fight it , im currently trying to find some too

 

[ReeferWarrant]

If you moved to a bigger tank youre probably dealing with the ugly phases of the balances changing. Did you add new live/dry rock? That may be the cause of your algae outbreak.

 

[MichaelReefer]

If you moved to a bigger tank youre probably dealing with the ugly phases of the balances changing. Did you add new live/dry rock? That may be the cause of your algae outbreak.

I added some dry rock.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I bet that's the cause, I didnt realize theres a whole process in removing the Phosphates from them. See below

 

[MichaelReefer]

I bet that's the cause, I didnt realize theres a whole process in removing the Phosphates from them. See below

Even though my Phos is only 0.02?

 

[ReeferWarrant]

Also, with the algae absorbing the Phosphates and Nitrates, your readings are just what is left in the water column. I used Flux RX (anything fluconazole) to get a jump start on my algae issues. Absolutely crushed it, I had it growing on the skeleton of my Candy Cane.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I'll let someone else chime in, but yeah I'd bet that was your cause.

 

[ReeferWarrant]

I also added a blue tuxedo urchin, only have a 32 gallon tank. It definitely helped reduce the amount in the tank.

 

[ScottB]

Urchins are helpful for managing turf, but your PO4 needs to be managed down over time. Keeping .1 in a tank without surplus algae is fine, but until the algae slows down, I'd be thinking something closer to .05 or so.

Go slow, test often, don't strip phosphates to 0 or you will be inviting dinos to dominate.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Urchins are helpful for managing turf, but your PO4 needs to be managed down over time. Keeping .1 in a tank without surplus algae is fine, but until the algae slows down, I'd be thinking something closer to .05 or so.

Go slow, test often, don't strip phosphates to 0 or you will be inviting dinos to dominate.

How are Blue Tuxedo Urchins? Are they Bulldozers in the tank? I do have some large (5+ head) Torches in the sand and dont want them to be damaged at all.

 

[ScottB]

How are Blue Tuxedo Urchins? Are they Bulldozers in the tank? I do have some Torches in the sand and dont want them to be damaged at all.

Fair question and one that I don't have an absolute answer for. I will say that they don't bother any of the corals in my tank. And while I know he must travel over sand to reach a new rock stack, I never seen him on the sand. Certainly not a viable food source location, so he does not hang out there.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Anyone have experience with a Tuxedo helping?

 

[ReeferWarrant]

The only issues I have had with my tuxedo are with my frag plugs on the racks. It's not that big of an issue though, plus if they have something to hold above their heads they dont grab much else. There was a thread on here that was eluding to them not liking the UV lights and thats why they carry items. If you watch they absolutely aim their carried things towards the lights.

Regarding your torches, I bought some frogspawn from a guy here locally and he had the large flat tiles attached to the skeleton base. That way theres an anchor to hold them in place under the sand. Which I am now doing with any of my Euphyllia that I get.

 

[carmodpg]

I have pasted a link below to our recent discussion about red turf algae. I am still battling, its a pain!

The red turf algae battle

Wanted to post about this in the event others start looking for ways to battle this crap -- I found it hard to find a lot of meaningful content anywhere. What my rock work looks like: My tank is more or less completely overrun with red turf algae. I have always operated under the assumption...

www.reef2reef.com