"Stupid" Algae Question

[jasper24]

I have some LR in my display that has some green turf type algae on it. I got it from a fellow reefer shutting down his tank. I bought several Astreas hoping that they would clean it but they have not. I was thinking of putting the LR with algae in my sump with a bunch of snails for a while to see what happens and add some new cured LR to the display. My question is if this rock with algae is in my sump do I run the risk of it spreading to the LR in the display?

[Saltz Creep]

It can spread if conditions are right for it to grow elsewhere, otherwise it tends to remain local.

BTW, I've found that astreas will only eat hair algae if it's short. If it's long they tend to ignore it. Keep the algae scrubbed down and the snails will help you keep it down.

[jasper24]

Thanks Saltz. I do not know what type of algae it is. It is very short, kind of bright green, and very tough to remove. I tried scrubbing the rock but it is attached pretty good. It is only on like 3 rocks so it is difficult to get the snails to only feed on those 3. I thought if I put the 3 in the sump with the snails they would have to work it over!

[Saltz Creep]

If it's tough and feathery-looking (close up it looks like a fern), then it could be bryopsis. If so, astreas won't touch it. Not much will except lettuce slugs. If it's in your sump, it may die off the rock from lack of light, however it could spread to your display. If there isn't any life on the rock you may want to cook it. Look for threads on rock cooking.

[jasper24]

It is not fern like. Looks kind of like felt. Almost like a pool table felt just a little longer.

[spe934]

I agree that if there is no other "valuable" life on the rock (polyps, shrooms, etc) then I would put it in a rubbermaid tub with saltwater, a heater, and a powerhead and put the lid on it then let it sit for awhile (be sure to check your water level to maintain correct salinity). I have done this for several pieces of rock that have become covered with various types of algae and after a month or so, it is all gone... I have also notice that I have had a few mushrooms survive this process, but I am guess that they are just superfreak shrooms and have a strong will to live... Good luck. Oh, BTW, I usually scrub the living daylights out of the rock before placing it in solitary confinement..

[Paco1l1d]

Sounds like hair algae to me. Keep it trimed, watch your feeding, and do water changes. Can be unbearable if left unchecked. IMO it is already on the rock in the main display, part of what makes live rock live, just controled a little better by the "bugs" on the rock. It may die off in the sump due to lack of light.

[jasper24]

Would me putting it in my sump be the same thing? There is just a heater, pump, and filter sock in the sump. No light. I was thinking of putting it in the sump with a bunch of my snails.