ID red algae

tomtom2245 · Oct 31, 2016

So lately I've been getting this red "fluffy" algae growing everywhere! It starts out like little red puff balls but grows really fast. I've been trying manual removal but that just seems to make it spread quicker. Any ideas on what it is or how to get rid of it?

jsker · Oct 31, 2016

I get it when my nitrates and phosphates climb above .08 No3 and .04 Po4

I have been dosing carbon and GFO to get rid on the the high nutrients and is dissapears. This is the patient's method, or just nuke the take with chem clean, but will come back if you do not have your nutrients under control

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 31, 2016

thats pink hair algae or cotton candy algae
https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

tomtom2245 · Oct 31, 2016

Thanks for the ID! Anyone have good recommendations for something to get rid of it with? I read the reefcleaners link but didn't know if someone else had other thoughts.

jsker · Oct 31, 2016

tomtom2245 said:
Thanks for the ID! Anyone have good recommendations for something to get rid of it with? I read the reefcleaners link but didn't know if someone else had other thoughts.

what are you Po4's and No3's? That would be a start

.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 1, 2016

That would be the start. Careful manual removal.
And reasearch.

tomtom2245 · Nov 1, 2016

N03 = 0.0
P04 = .01

Both tested with a fairly new Red Sea kit. I've been trying the manual removal but that just seems to make it spread more. I make look at an urchin, have to make sure all of my frags are secure, or some turbo snails and emerald crabs. I try to stay away from hermits as much as possible. Never have had good luck with them.

Hans-Werner · Nov 2, 2016

It is the tetrasporophyte or Falkenbergia phase of Asparagopsis taxiformis. It was formerly known as Falkenbergia hillebrandii and looks just like Falkenbergia rufolanasa which is the tetrasporophyte of Asparagopsis armata. Asparagopsis and Falkenbergia (phase) are just two stages in the life cycle of the same alga.

fragit · Nov 2, 2016

I have a bunch of this too in my fuge. Came in with my Cheato. @Hans-Werner any way to get rid of it other than what has already been mentioned?

Hans-Werner · Nov 2, 2016

It is a alga that is difficult to fight because it grows well under the same conditions as corals do. It is best to remove the balls with a hose during water changes and see whether the sea urchin feeds on it. I think this is not always the case. It is said that Salarias feed on it and some sea hares definitely feed on this alga. Mostly this alga, like other algae, disappears after some time from unknown reasons, maybe changes in microbiology or trace elements. Most algae need vitamins produced by bacteria.

tomtom2245 · Nov 2, 2016

Well I picked up 5 turbo snails yesterday from my LFS so we will see if they do anything to it.

Esquire805 · Nov 3, 2016

That stuff will take over your tank

tomtom2245 · Nov 3, 2016

Esquire805 said:
That stuff will take over your tank

I hear ya! This stuff spreads insanely fast. Hopefully the turbos help out a dent in it. I may be just trying to see things, but it does appear that they like eating it.