how do I get rid of this algae

[rarelyseriousb]

Cool: what I have done in the past is to pic a section of my rock & scrub it with a tooth brush,(light to medium pressure). This will break the bond that it has on the old growth underneth. Your skimmer will remove most all free floating spores and expose the young alge to the snails and fish. It's takes time but in a few weeks it should become manageable. Also your lights shouldn't be emiting any pink or red spectrum, un-less it's balanced in the light,(no grow-lux spectrum single light). How are the Nitrates?

I do have one pink bulb. That tooth brush Idea is a good one. I cant get more algae anyways.

 

[rarelyseriousb]

If its the red turf algae it wont come off with a tooth brush, a wire brush maybe or a grinder. Had some in my tank and large Mexican turbos took it out. If its cotton candy, which I think is different, I am not sure what eats it.

any Idea if it has to be the large ones. or If some turbos from one location works better than others?

 

[seareefrun]

I only offer one solution off one photo and in 30 years of having Reef aquariums, My own store, and service Business in the past. I have found that no one knows everything, as each system runs different. There are to many variables.

 

[rarelyseriousb]

I only offer one solution off one photo and in 30 years of having Reef aquariums, My own store, and service Business in the past. I have found that no one knows everything, as each system runs different. There are to many variables.

I did not say anything to offend did I. I understand that what works for one person may not work for others. That is why i am seeing what has worked for others so I could get rid of this junk.

 

[rarelyseriousb]

I appreciate all the help being offered.:bigsmile:

 

[seareefrun]

No way, I was responding to another post stating a tooth brush won't work. I'm always willing to share my 30 years of reef keeping experiance.

 

[CJO]

Looks like red turf algae to me as well, though it's hard to tell from the picture. If it is, the large Mexican Turbos are the only things I've found to eat it.

CJ

 

[turbo21]

Here is a link to a better picture from melevs site. is this what you have

Melevsreef.com - Pink Cotton Candy Algae

 

[VegasRick]

I only offer one solution off one photo and in 30 years of having Reef aquariums, My own store, and service Business in the past. I have found that no one knows everything, as each system runs different. There are to many variables.

I wasn't trying to disrespect your opinion only sharing my experience. I also have over 20 years with reefs and had a retail store and service business.

There are probably a dozen different types of algae that look similar to what he has pictured. A couple of years ago I had something similar start in my 80g, the texture of it was like a nylon brush. The type of algae I encountered could not be brushed off, even a wire brush did little to it. A knife on the other hand worked but was going to be too much work. A search on the web and I found a few people who had dealt with it and one who described it perfectly. I didn't save the link though. But I do have one, Patience by Sandra Shoup - Reefkeeping.com even though the picture doesn't look exactly like what I had.

Mexican Turbos took care of it, and even though I hate Mexican Turbos and urchins because they are like mini bulldozers, I now keep a couple in my tank

 

[rarelyseriousb]

More like this

 

[rarelyseriousb]

I just added 3 tuxedo urchins and they are eating this stuff. So thanks all for the help. I may add Mexican turbos if the urchins cant keep up. thanks for the help.