Gracilaria takeover

[KittenChiu]

I put some red gracilaria in my 13 gallon fluval and it has taken over everything. It's growing over my zoas, xenias, all live rocks. What do I do?? I would like to rescue my coral because I've spent a good amount of money on them and ideally would like to move them to my 75gallon but lordy I don't need that algae taking over my (as of now) perfect 75. Can't put a tang in either, tanks too small. Should I risk a physical algae removal and then aggressive coral dip before moving? What if the gracilaria survives?

 

[wesman42]

I would trim bits and pieces back....I'm not sure there's really much to be done naturally. It might be worth seeing what other organisms (snails, crabs etc) eat it. Maybe an urchin? Do you have any pictures?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

I put some red gracilaria in my 13 gallon fluval and it has taken over everything. It's growing over my zoas, xenias, all live rocks. What do I do?? I would like to rescue my coral because I've spent a good amount of money on them and ideally would like to move them to my 75gallon but lordy I don't need that algae taking over my (as of now) perfect 75. Can't put a tang in either, tanks too small. Should I risk a physical algae removal and then aggressive coral dip before moving? What if the gracilaria survives?

First time I have heard of gracilaria taking over a system! Can you send a photo? This can be rectified pretty easily, just need to see what we are working with here

 

[KittenChiu]

Out of town for the next couple days, but will definitely post pictures when I get back.

 

[KittenChiu]

It's really flourishing

 

[Pbh-reef]

any update on this?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Oh wow! It definitely has taken over. I would recommend a single urchin if you are willing to manually prune the macroalgae and nuisance algae back. If you want the urchins do to most of the work, get two.

 

[KittenChiu]

Have manually removed as much as I could. Will look into getting an urchin. Any specific kind? Tank is on the small side, dunno if it's too tight a squeeze for certain kinds?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Have manually removed as much as I could. Will look into getting an urchin. Any specific kind? Tank is on the small side, dunno if it's too tight a squeeze for certain kinds?

You will want something with short spins. A tuxedo or pincushion urchin(https://www.algaebarn.com/shop/captive-bred/invertebrates/pincushion-urchin/) should work very well here.

 

[Pbh-reef]

In such a small tank I would personally be hesitant to introduce an urchin. I would keep removing manually and maybe add a trochus or turbo snail to help

 

[KittenChiu]

Have removed as much as I can manually. There are several snails (handful of trochus and two Mexican turbo). Got an urchin but may have accidentally killed it by not properly acclimating. If he survives and the tank doesn't need him anymore, he can go in my big tank.