Some kind of red macro invasion!

[frankm88]

I have had my tank setup just about a year and there is this red macro algae that has been growing on my rocks and back wall which at first i did not mind. The problem is that it is starting to spread and i foresee this becoming an issue in the future. I am using ro\di water (just changed filters a few days ago) and all my levels are within range temp 77. I tried a sea hare but either the one i purchased was a dud or they do not eat this algae because it died in a few days. I really do not want to put any chemicals in to clear the algae which i why i want to treat the issue now before it becomes invasive...see pictures below

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

WOW! Honestly this looks like a rock tear down and start over.

 

[frankm88]

ouch...i dont think its at the point of no return yet. Does anyone know if a sea hare will eat this type of algae?

 

[ritter6788]

How big is your tank? I'd hit it with every possible algae eater you can find. Emerald crabs, blue leg hermits, mexican turbo snails.

 

[frankm88]

It's a 24 gallon

 

[ritter6788]

It's a 24 gallon

Hmmm. I think a tang would mow that down but the tank is too small for a tang. I'd try emerald crabs to start off with. Cheap, easy to find and can be removed easily from your tank. You could add a group of them at once and if they don't help sell them locally or give them away.

 

[Tahoe61]

It looks like Red Dictyota. There must be enough nutrient present to feed it.

 

[frankm88]

I would love a tang but The tank is way too small..I have a few emeralds in there now I guess I can throw a handful more inverts in there see what they mow down. Anyone know if a sea hare would eat this algae?

 

[heathd.hd]

U could always get a tiny tang or rabbit fish. Than trade it back in after a few months.

 

[heathd.hd]

Just be careful you don't add ich to the tank. Lol.

 

[dnov99]

U could always get a tiny tang or rabbit fish. Than trade it back in after a few months.

+1

I have seen tiny yellow tangs the size of a quarter, I would look for one at your lfs.

 

[frankm88]

Yea my brother in law bought his yellow tang about the size of a quarter and in a few months he is 4+ inches...but it will give me an excuse to get a bigger tank haha

 

[frankm88]

ok so just to update...i went to my LFS yesterday and talked to them about my situation. He gave me a Sea Hare as the one i got from him last week died. He also recommended a sally light foot crab to chow down on the dictyota as a tang or rabbit fish would be way too big for a 24 gallon. So far the sea hare has been chowing away and the crab as well. Hopefully they keep mowing this down.

...i also couldnt resist picking up this bright acan maxima lol

 

[Ligershark]

ok so just to update...i went to my LFS yesterday and talked to them about my situation. He gave me a Sea Hare as the one i got from him last week died. He also recommended a sally light foot crab to chow down on the dictyota as a tang or rabbit fish would be way too big for a 24 gallon. So far the sea hare has been chowing away and the crab as well. Hopefully they keep mowing this down

just curious how is the battle going?

 

[ReefFreak@]

To be honest i think its really pretty, just let it run its course adding more animals will just contribute to the problem.Best fix is step back and look at where these excess nutrients are coming from. overfeeding , to much light, rock leaching etc. get some gfo ,manually remove it, and cut back on lighting/feeding. Although like i said I'm actually a little jealous its stunning.

 

[rayn]

If it could be contained to a fuge I would want you to tear some out and ship it to me!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that I like the look too, and I personally wouldn't try to remove it, but I let my tanks run far more untended than most people.

A foxface would likely eat it (mine eats all algae I've given it), but is too big for a 24 gallon tank.

 

[frankm88]

I love the look of it too which is why I let it get this out of control and I'm not trying to 100% remove it just trying to find a balance and bring it to a level where it is not overwhelming and not smothering my corals. The tank is doing a lot better now the sea hare has disappeared probably under the rocks somewhere but the handful of inverts I added are really going to town on the algae. I'm happy where it is going and think a few more weeks everything will balance out

 

[ReefFreak@]

Just keep an eye on your phosphates and nitrates,the algae was doing a really good job at removing them but now that your algae is being consumed your levels could rise

 

[frankm88]

Just keep an eye on your phosphates and nitrates,the algae was doing a really good job at removing them but now that your algae is being consumed your levels could rise

good point...my nitrates are almost always 0 sometimes a little more but always less than 10. I stay on top of my 20% water changes every week but ill keep an eye on it.