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Help - how do I get rid of red wiry algae??

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Salty, Feb 11, 2013.

  1. Feb 11, 2013 #1
    Salty

    Salty

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    So I've gotten red wiry algae in my tank from somewhere, assuming a frag. The only method I've found online for eliminating this particular type of algae is picking it all off with tweezers. Obviously that isn't even feasible for 150 lbs of lr, so does anyone know any other methods? It is spreading quickly and I have tired a couple reef safe algae treatments that did nothing. This stuff is almost impossible to pull off too, its very strongly attached.
     
  2. Feb 11, 2013 #2
    Pete H.

    Pete H. Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Try checking out this link for info on nuisance Algae:

    http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=60

    Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae

    Many species of short creeping red algae exist so the hobby generally lumps all of them under the heading "Gelidium", (the genus that is home to many of those species), and the common name Red Turf Algae, or Red Wiry Algae.

    Manual Removal - Difficult. Macros that have fragile runners and creep along the rock are the hardest to manually remove. Do the best you can. Use a dental pick to do the most damage, DO NOT BRUSH. You will dislodge it and spread it. Yeah I know, it is boring as can be, but if you do it once surgically with a dental pick the problem goes away for good. If you can take the rock out, all the better.

    Clean Up Crew- Emerald Crabs, urchins, sea hares, and large turbos.

    Tip - Don't pass on frags with this stuff, don't put one in your tank. This algae has become extremely common on traded/aquacultured frags. So my advice is every time you add a coral or a rock look for it from now on."
     
  3. Feb 11, 2013 #3
    Salty

    Salty

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    Thanks pete, thats actually where I got the majority of my information about it, there and a few forums. Unfortunately it also says use tweezers our a dental pick to manually pick it all off...again that isn't even close to feasible so I don't know why they even suggest it. I did take their advice on getting some large mexican turbos. I got 5 of them a week ago and they haven't done anything productive yet. They just crawl on each other and fall off things upside down and wait for me to save them...quite frustrating actually! I think these snails are....ummm...special. And I'm nervous to throw an urchin in a full reef tank, and already have emeralds in there...
     
  4. Feb 11, 2013 #4
    Pete H.

    Pete H. Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Bummer. I have not personally experienced it so, I cant be any more help. Looks like you are on the right track though. Best of luck. I hope at least one of those snails starts to do its job!
     
  5. Feb 11, 2013 #5
    Big D Center Point

    Big D Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    sry to say but i had a 180 with that stuff and i had to boil all my rock and scrub it .. gl ... i watch for that stuff now because it grows fast ...
     
  6. Feb 11, 2013 #6
    Salty

    Salty

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    Big D, that is the last thing I wanted to hear /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/sad.gif I almost didn't post this because I didn't want to hear that...i had a feeling I would though. The problem is all my lr is covered in various attached corals and zoas. Did you have the same?
     
  7. Feb 11, 2013 #7
    Pete H.

    Pete H. Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    If you can take the rocks out, would a H2O2 treatment work?... I don't know (Have not tried myself) but maybe someone with experience might be able to chime in. At least you could try to save some of the corals that way.
     
  8. Feb 11, 2013 #8
    Big D Center Point

    Big D Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    yep and it was all over my rock , Sry i know what your going threw . try alot of bluelegged crabs... they helped
     
  9. Feb 11, 2013 #9
    rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

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    coould try some lights out periods with some GFO usage or carbon dosing if your not already.
     
  10. Feb 11, 2013 #10
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    Well I have to chime in and suggest an algae scrubber. It would take a while for the scrubber to come up to speed (a few months possibly) so it's not a quick fix, but what it all boils down to is that it is algae and it will get out-competed eventually. Perhaps crabs now, algae scrubber for long-term control
     
  11. Feb 11, 2013 #11
    Salty

    Salty

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    Pete, I have not gone down that road yet..might be an option. I don't anything about it though so I'd anyone has exp, please let me know.

    Rbp, thanks but I always run gfo, tried carbon, and didn't post this until after an unsuccessful 48 hr blackout...which almost took out my 12"kenya tree for some reason...yeah the one that is impossible to kill haha

    Everyone, thanks for your ideas and input...this might be the most catastrophic issue I've faced yet...hope not, but starting to seem that way
     
  12. Feb 11, 2013 #12
    Salty

    Salty

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    Here is a link to what this crap looks like:

    http://s.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343983



    Pete your right, its a red "turf" algae, not red hair algae....anybody else ever deal with this crap?


    So I got 5 giant turbos and I think Im going to order a various clean up crew and a tuxedo urchin. Anybody have any exp with one of these urchins in a reef tank?

     
  13. Feb 11, 2013 #13
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    Algae scrubber will beat it out over time. It is hardy, but it will lose.
     

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