Weird purple algae (not coralline)

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

Hey yall. So it seems I have a weird algae that is starting to take over. I had a GHA problem but used reflux and it worked wonders. However once all that was gone it exposed another algae that for the life of me I cant identify. Its course and wirey. When I squeeze it it bounces right back up. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

motortrendz · Dec 28, 2019

If you turn on only the white lights you'll get a better idea what color it is

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

It purple as purple gets. I'll take another pic

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

Whites only

motortrendz · Dec 28, 2019

Gotcha. Ok. I would get some fluconazole and dose the tank... what are your nitrate and Po4 levels. You need to reduce nutrients as well and especially as the fluc starts to work and kill off the algae you'll have a po4 rise in the tank so you'll need to dose lanthanum or use gfo to remove

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

I already dosed it. It killed my GHA but didnt touch this stuff. It's also known as reeflux, right? Before dosing I couldnt read no3 or po4. Any idea what algae this is?

mtfish · Dec 28, 2019

Perhaps in the Genus Centroceras. An Atlantic species is C. clavulatum.

motortrendz · Dec 28, 2019

Looks like gelidium algae.

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

I looked up gelidium and it seems too red. The algae I have never darkens. It also doesnt get that big. The pics I posted are as big as it gets. It just covers the rocks

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

Also just tested no3 and p04. Still undetectable. I dosed reeflux 2 weeks ago. I do have a huge ball of cheato

motortrendz · Dec 28, 2019

Are you running carbon? I've had to run fluconazole in my tank for 6 weeks to completely eradicate some algae. It slowly turns white from the tip and works it's way to the base. It should wipe out you cheato. if your running carbon that removes it before it can do its job

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

I followed the instructions. Said turn off skimmer and remove carbon for 72 hrs after dosing. Then return filtration as normal. I can always do a WC and then dose again completely without carbon. Or I can just redose. Idk how long it stays in the water column so idk if any is left. Even though I was running carbon all my GHA started to disappear around day 10

vetteguy53081 · Dec 28, 2019

Purple Hypnea and a member of the Species of Ochtodes. It is rough like a brillo/scotch brite pad and hard to pull off. I have it and a tough battle to remove. I pull periodically by hand. I have heard pincushion urchins will eat this but I do NOT want an urchin in that particular tank BUT i'm ready to give in.
Ive used flux and vibrant- Does nothing to it. It also grow under ANY light whether bright or dim !

RJ F. · Dec 28, 2019

It doesnt get that big though. Mine will brush right off the rocks. It just pops back up. I can clear all the rocks in 10 mines with a toothbrush. I have before. I just dont want to keep spreading it. Is there anywhere I could send it for an evaluation

motortrendz · Dec 28, 2019

If your gonna re dose flux and give it a try. I'd remove the carbon, for 2 weeks dont do any water changes in that time either. If you do put that about of flux back in the new water. Leave the skimmer running. And let it run. Keep removing what you can by hand and see how it is in 2 weeks. I bet itll be better.