Red Macro Algae Plague (Red Dictyota?) - How do I get Rid of It?

[that Reef Guy]

In one of my Tanks I have this Nasty Red Macro Algae that is taking over everything.

I think that it is called Red Dictyota.

It has gotten on Zoanthid Frag Plugs and Completely smothered and killed them!

I really hate this stuff.

I have no idea where it came from.

I will not transfer anything from this tank to any of my 4 other tanks for fear that this Plague Algae will ruin another tank.

I am getting ready to tear it down and start over that is how bad it is.

How can I get rid of this stuff?

Does anything eat it like Snails?

I have included some pictures of what it looks like.

 

[kschweer]

The last 2 pictures look more like red gracilaria to me, if that's what it is many tangs will usually eat it. You can also give a sea hare a shot, they eat through algae pretty quickly. Just have a plan for it once all algae is gone so it doesn't starve. Good luck!

 

[that Reef Guy]

The last 2 pictures look more like red gracilaria to me, if that's what it is many tangs will usually eat it. You can also give a sea hare a shot, they eat through algae pretty quickly. Just have a plan for it once all algae is gone so it doesn't starve. Good luck!

All 3 Pics look the Same to me?

What is the Difference between Red Dictyota and Red Gracilaria?

It is a 20 Gallon Tank so I cannot do a Tang.

Any other suggestions?

 

[AdamNC]

Mexican Turbo Snails will decimate that stuff, before knowing mine ate all mine.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Mexican Turbo Snails will decimate that stuff, before knowing mine ate all mine.

I do not like Turbo Snails because they knock everything over.

What about Tiger Trochus?

Will they eat it?

 

[Rutrag]

I have (or have had) it in my tank. I also believe it's red dictoya. The only thing I've had to control it is a foxface. (Either a lo or one spot). Other rabbit fish might work too, but I've only ever done these two species. It's definitely invasive and seems to like to get in the branches of branching LPS or in between zoas.

 

[brandon429]

That reef guy

When you mentioned in the past bryopsis issues etc I'd offered peroxide, it will beat this as well. Our threads simply have about 500 before and after pics of this kind of invasion being beaten. The valonia in the pic is a far worse problem~ it should take priority removal over the macro, the macro is the easiest to remove as its a requisite hitchhiker that functions independent of tank nutrients, just like bryopsis. Turn around time for your tank on the macro removal is a few days, the valonia maybe never depending on intensity of infestation. the rocks look like ocean cured

 

[CenlaReefer]

Wow this is an old thread. I'm curious to see what happened. Just for the record for anyone wondering, I would recommend some manual removal without causing that bubble algae to burst. Then unleash a team of about 7-10 emerald crabs on that stuff. They eat almost every known algae found in reef aquaria.

 

[Salty1962]

Wow this is an old thread. I'm curious to see what happened. Just for the record for anyone wondering, I would recommend some manual removal without causing that bubble algae to burst. Then unleash a team of about 7-10 emerald crabs on that stuff. They eat almost every known algae found in reef aquaria.

I believe those were reference pictures

 

[CenlaReefer]

I thought the top pic from the first post was from his actual tank.

 

[jefra]

Mollies are excellent algae eaters for a 20 gallon. Urchins might make a bigger dent than snails.