How can I get rid of this turf algae?

sixline · Mar 7, 2021

...at least I think it is turf algae.

The stuff is a very dense and stiff bristly mat that really roots itself into the live rock. It roots so well, that when I peel it off (which is tough), It takes some of the rock (or maybe coralline) with it. That's what the white stuff is in the second photo.

The only three options I can think of are starving it, or adding something that eats it or outcompetes it.

I'm a bit hesitant about starving it since I have two engineer gobies that I need to feed.

I have a variety of snails, two small urchins, and some emerald crabs, but nothing seems to touch it. I'm considering ordering some chitons from reef cleaners, but I'm heard somewhere they can leave scratches if they migrate onto the glass in the aquarium. I frequently travel, so I can't keep an eye on them and would hate to return to a tank full of scratches.

I'm considering some sort of display tank macro to compete with it, but not sure. Unfortunately, I do not have any space in the sump for a refugium or algae scrubber or similar.

Any ideas on what this stuff is and how to get rid of it?

Thanks in advance.

TexanCanuck · Mar 8, 2021

I'm afraid I can't help you positively ID what kind of algae it is, but I have had very good success managing all forms of nuisance algae with a product called Vibrant.

If you so a search for "vibrant" here on R2R you will find lots of folks with experience with this product.

You can buy it from the manufacturer here:

Underwater Creations Inc. | Vibrant Liquid Aquarium Cleaner

Vibrant is a revolutionary liquid aquarium cleaner developed by scientists and the professionals at Underwater Creations, Inc.

www.uwcmn.com

You can also find it on BRS and Amazon.

Good luck!

I'll be monitoring this thread to see if anyone can positively ID what kind of algae it is!

sixty_reefer · Mar 8, 2021

Chlorodesmis more known as maidens hair algae, if you were in the uk I’d be interested in some.

S.Pepper · Mar 8, 2021

That looks very similar to what I am dealing with now. I was told it was green turf algae. I was told Fluconazole will work on some types of turf algae. I on my fifth day since dosing fluconazole and there doesn't see to be much progress, other than my filter socks are getting a slight green tint to them. Who knows? I'm going to give it until this weekend and if there continues to be little to no progress, I'm going to try Vibrant. GL

vetteguy53081 · Mar 8, 2021

What is known as "Green Turf Algae" in the hobby is really a generic name given to hundreds of different species of macroalgae that describe certain similar characteristics. They are coarse, wiry, and generally have thicker wider blades than Green Hair Algae. They may or may not have a mat like root structure, sometimes they just seem to sprout from the rock.
Turf algae that sprouts directly from the rock can be a pain to control, as it is difficult if not impossible to pluck it all. Once discovered it should be treated outside of the aquarium, perhaps by dipping the affected rock or frag in water treated with an algaecide.Turf algae that grows with a "root" mat can be peeled by pushing down on the algae as you scrape your thumb against the rock dislodging it in one swoop. Let it get big enough so you have leverage. The 3reef member who removed this piece did it perfectly.
Clean up Crew members that will eat Green Turf Algae include inverts with considerable cutting power like urchins, chitons, and emerald crabs. My best defense was a 10 day blackout utilizing ambient light in the room

S.Pepper · Mar 8, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
What is known as "Green Turf Algae" in the hobby is really a generic name given to hundreds of different species of macroalgae that describe certain similar characteristics. They are coarse, wiry, and generally have thicker wider blades than Green Hair Algae. They may or may not have a mat like root structure, sometimes they just seem to sprout from the rock.
Turf algae that sprouts directly from the rock can be a pain to control, as it is difficult if not impossible to pluck it all. Once discovered it should be treated outside of the aquarium, perhaps by dipping the affected rock or frag in water treated with an algaecide.Turf algae that grows with a "root" mat can be peeled by pushing down on the algae as you scrape your thumb against the rock dislodging it in one swoop. Let it get big enough so you have leverage. The 3reef member who removed this piece did it perfectly.
Clean up Crew members that will eat Green Turf Algae include inverts with considerable cutting power like urchins, chitons, and emerald crabs. My best defense was a 10 day blackout utilizing ambient light in the room

thx, vetteguy. I already read that post in another thread. lol I have about 10 hermit blue/red hermit crabs and a few snails. I had a big CUC order that took 8 days to be delivered--there were 2 emerald crabs that died, along with everything else. I have 20 more hermits being delivered tomorrow. And yes, the hermits are eating away at this algae.

JayLu · Mar 8, 2021

I had a ton of turf algae that looked similar to yours. I got a long spine urchin and it ate all of it. But once the turf algae was gone, it started eating my coral.

KrisReef · Mar 8, 2021

sixline said:
...at least I think it is turf algae.

The stuff is a very dense and stiff bristly mat that really roots itself into the live rock. It roots so well, that when I peel it off (which is tough), It takes some of the rock (or maybe coralline) with it. That's what the white stuff is in the second photo.

The only three options I can think of are starving it, or adding something that eats it or outcompetes it.

I'm a bit hesitant about starving it since I have two engineer gobies that I need to feed.

I have a variety of snails, two small urchins, and some emerald crabs, but nothing seems to touch it. I'm considering ordering some chitons from reef cleaners, but I'm heard somewhere they can leave scratches if they migrate onto the glass in the aquarium. I frequently travel, so I can't keep an eye on them and would hate to return to a tank full of scratches.

I'm considering some sort of display tank macro to compete with it, but not sure. Unfortunately, I do not have any space in the sump for a refugium or algae scrubber or similar.

Any ideas on what this stuff is and how to get rid of it?

Thanks in advance.

Nice photo and description. Sorry that you have this is in your tank. I got a red version on a frag years ago. I ended up pulling the rock and scraping, adding tangs, and "Mexican Turbo-snails" and nothing seemed to help. I gave up, let the tank run on auto pilot, didn't scrap algae for two years, just fed the fish and eventually I beleive the coralline algae was able to get the better end of the rock and it went into submission-remission. That was about 4 years ago. I noticed a little resurgence at the beginning of this year so I pulled the few rocks it was on, hit them with 3% peroxide and it turned a lovely white in death, like ashes?

Along the way, I did attempt Vibrant and did not see any improvement from that product. GL.

sixline · Mar 9, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
My best defense was a 10 day blackout utilizing ambient light in the room

Now that's something I hadn't thought of doing. If I understand correctly, you turned off your lights for ten days, and only allowed the ambient light from the room to enter the tanks, thus starving the algae of light - is that correct? How well did it work? And was there any damage to the xooanthellae (sp?) in the corals, or did they all make it through?