Wire/Turf algae ID please!

Andrews_aquarium · May 31, 2023

Hi,
So I've been battling a turf algea outbreak for about 4 months now. Ive attached photos below of in tank, sample, and 4x microscope. It is extremely tough to remove. Toothbrush and tough brush does not remove it, has to be ripped off with force. It is extremely aggressive growing, even growing on all panes of glass. Never experienced this or seen it in the last 20 years of me being in the hobby.

Urchins and Emerald grabs DO eat it which is great. I currently have 6 urchins and they have been doing a great job at knocking it back but the speed in which it grows back even at a totally clean area isn't doable for me to keep up with. Also the fact that it grows upon the glass means it will never go away. It seems like the only option is chemical at this point. Ive never had to use any product for algae, but I am thinking Brightwell Razor. If someone has another option please let me know.

I know people are going to ask for parameters even though I'm a big believer in Richard Ross theory that they mean nothing for algae unless extremely high so here they are:
Alk: 8.5
Po4: .01
No3: 4
PH: 8.1-8.3

The tank is setup for SPS, so it is bare bottom. has extreme flow to say the least, which the algae seems to love.

I know it is also NOT bryopsis as plenty of clean up crews are eating it and I have even had tangs eating the smallest pieces, plus it doesn't grow any longer than what's pitchered and does not feather/leaf out at the ends.

All the rock is from Australia so the species of algae is almost 100% from that region.

thank you

srobertb · May 31, 2023

So we agree. Of course people with algae often have low nitrates or phosphates. That’s my goal. I just do it in a controlled environment vs others who are growing it in their display.

How to fix algae without chemicals….After all, you’re looking for a permanent sustainable fix.

Flow is sometimes an issue. Sounds like you got it taken care of.

Sheep vs Cow CUC. My tang is a grazer (cow) my urchin will eat down to the rock (sheep). Sounds like you’re covered here. Although there’s nothing wrong with increasing your CUC to deal with an issue.

food. Cut back on food. Not just to lower nutrients but to encourage others to eat algae. My copperband wouldn’t touch my aiptasia until I cut back on food. Then I noticed it started picking at them. Then they went away. If I’m dumping cheeseburgers in my tank that’s hardly a reason for your tangs to go forage a salad.

It isn’t about getting rid of it. It’s about out competing it. More CUC in your DT and a stiff brush every day for a week. Depending on your setup- a refugium with high powered lights will do it. They don’t even have to be as powerful as your display. Just a place where the algae can grow unchecked. Eventually the refugium will take over and outcompete the display.

Andrews_aquarium · May 31, 2023

srobertb said:
So we agree. Of course people with algae often have low nitrates or phosphates. That’s my goal. I just do it in a controlled environment vs others who are growing it in their display.

How to fix algae without chemicals….After all, you’re looking for a permanent sustainable fix.

Flow is sometimes an issue. Sounds like you got it taken care of.

Sheep vs Cow CUC. My tang is a grazer (cow) my urchin will eat down to the rock (sheep). Sounds like you’re covered here. Although there’s nothing wrong with increasing your CUC to deal with an issue.

food. Cut back on food. Not just to lower nutrients but to encourage others to eat algae. My copperband wouldn’t touch my aiptasia until I cut back on food. Then I noticed it started picking at them. Then they went away. If I’m dumping cheeseburgers in my tank that’s hardly a reason for your tangs to go forage a salad.

It isn’t about getting rid of it. It’s about out competing it. More CUC in your DT and a stiff brush every day for a week. Depending on your setup- a refugium with high powered lights will do it. They don’t even have to be as powerful as your display. Just a place where the algae can grow unchecked. Eventually the refugium will take over and outcompete the display.

I agree with everything you said! The tricky thing is the urchins go down all the way to the coralline and the algae can come back slightly faster than the coralline does. it’s this fine balance of enough and proper CUC. And the truly frustrating part is a Turf algae that grows on glass and covers it at a pace of diatoms.

You did nail my other option for a refugium, it’s the only thing i haven’t tried and was wondering if it could help.

in terms of manual removal i’m at a pace of 2-3 times a week of removing myself, pulling finger pinches off the rocks until my fingers are tired, basically filling a filter socks worth. I have significantly knocked it back but feels like something that will never truly leave the tank. I need my SPS to out pace it in growth and totally take it out.

thanks for the reply