HELP! I can't figure out this stuff.. and it's taking over

AMGSiR · #1 12/30/2007, 05:52 PM

This red algae is growing extremely fast. And spreading everywhere.

I'm completely prepared to go head to head with it.

Obviously it's growing like a weed.

But just how bad is this stuff? Should i gut it from the tank, or leave some to spread around again?

HELP!

AMGSiR · #2 12/30/2007, 05:56 PM

Helps if i include a photo!! my bad

AMGSiR · #3 12/30/2007, 06:13 PM

And for reference:

It's bushy.. pulls off in clumps.
Lots is rooted to the live rock.. which is of undetermined origin (hand-me-downs)

Doesn't get into the sand.

Easily gets several inches deep in area's.. but mostly covers the rock at a depth of about 1"

piercho · #4 12/30/2007, 10:08 PM

Search Gelidium, Gelidiopsis, or "red wire algae". Its not as strong as "wire" but the strands are relatively tough compared to other macro algae. Diadema urchins eat red turfs fairly reliably IME. Acanthurus japonicus (Powder Brown tang) grazed it preferentially in my tank, and Siganus lo (rabbitfish) would also graze red turfs. In a small tank, it can be controlled by removing the rock, wire brushing the algae off, rinsing the rock and returning the cleaned rock to the tank.

AMGSiR · #5 12/31/2007, 12:05 AM

Thanks for the info! i looked all over and couldn't find anything resembling it in photos.

It was irritating me so bad today.. i pulled every rock out of the tank.

I had planned on doing a water change today.. so i pulled some water out into an 8" or so deep storage bin i have (18" x 36" or so). Loaded the rocks into it.

And went at each one with a toothbrush.

I had a few xenia's that had attached themselves to the algae, so they became casualties.

Overall i'm satisfied now.. 4 hours later damnit!

I'll check into the rabbitfish at my LFS.