Is this hair algae? Or something else?

[McGene]

I've read some of the other posts on this topic and seen some of the posted pics -- my algae doesn't quite look the same as others. My stuff doesn't look soft and wispy -- it's more "tree-like".
Not sure the picture is good enough to be much help -- best I can get right now with my phone.
Just measured a few key parameters as follows:
pH = 8.03
dKH = 8.06
Phosphates = 0.04

Read something in another post that makes me wonder about my lighting. I'm running a lot of blue spectrum most of the day (similar to WWC) -- one post indicated that might be problem as it contributes to algae growth. Frankly, I didn't know that -- I thought growth came largely from natural sunlight (10K).

Thoughts?

 

[Big G]

Looks like Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae. Pretty tough stuff to control and very common on frag plugs. Use a dental pick to remove as much as possible. Limpets might eat the stuff.

 

[sikorskys]

Looks like cyano for me.

 

[McGene]

I think Big G nailed it. I searched the internet for all kinds of reef algae and couldn’t find what I have until Big G’s post. I then looked for Red Turf Algae. Bingo
Now the task is how to eliminate it.
Will pull some of the really badly covered rocks and scrub them.
Read that hydrogen peroxide is a good way to kill RTA.
Wonder if any CUC likes this stuff?

 

[Big G]

Emerald Crabs, urchins, sea hares, and large turbos (but warning, they knock over things in the tank, little bulldozers) have been known to munch on red turf algaes.

 

[McGene]

Thanks, Gary. I'm gonna look into Emerald Crabs. For my 45g tank would one or two be plenty?