Red cottony algae

[ClownWrangler]

This tank has been going for while and is quite healthy. Nitrates and phosphates are low, however this red fluffy algae is taking over the red razor. Dwarf Ceriths and Astraea snails don't seem to be touching it. any suggestions? Will a black molly eat it?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Actually known as cotton candy algae- grows fast and can quickly over take coral
Pull as much as you can by hand and add a pin cushion urchin and a few snails such as cerith, astrea, nerite and trochus to finish the rest

 

[ClownWrangler]

Actually known as cotton candy algae- grows fast and can quickly over take coral
Pull as much as you can by hand and add a pin cushion urchin and a few snails such as cerith, astrea, nerite and trochus to finish the rest

I removed as much as I could and removed all the macro algae. I was able to save some of the macro algae by soaking it in a 1:4 solution of hydrogen peroxide and fresh water for 3 minutes. I had to experiment to get it right. Its hard to kill the cotton candy algae without killing the red razor and halimeda. Ceriths, astraea, and nerites will not eat this stuff. Neither will emerald crabs, blue leg hermits or red leg hermits. This is going to get expensive if I just keep playing this guessing game. Thanks for the help anyway.

I tried several weeks of Vibrant treatment and it had no effect but may have killed my Sherman BTA. I think I may have to just bite the bullet and nuke the tank. Its just a small FOWLR tank at this point so no big deal.

I thought the vibrant was working, but then I got spawns of this stuff everywhere.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I removed as much as I could and removed all the macro algae. I was able to save some of the macro algae by soaking it in a 1:4 solution of hydrogen peroxide and fresh water for 3 minutes. I had to experiment to get it right. Its hard to kill the cotton candy algae without killing the red razor and halimeda. Ceriths, astraea, and nerites will not eat this stuff. Neither will emerald crabs, blue leg hermits or red leg hermits. This is going to get expensive if I just keep playing this guessing game. Thanks for the help anyway.

I tried several weeks of Vibrant treatment and it had no effect but may have killed my Sherman BTA. I think I may have to just bite the bullet and nuke the tank. Its just a small FOWLR tank at this point so no big deal.

I thought the vibrant was working, but then I got spawns of this stuff everywhere.

try applying peroxide to the base of them via pipette
You can also pull with tweezers before applying peroxide

 

[ClownWrangler]

try applying peroxide to the base of them via pipette
You can also pull with tweezers before applying peroxide

I thought about that but it has coated all my substrate. This will be very tedious. I will try.

On a side note:

I let it take over an invert QT on purpose along with bubble algae to see what would happen. The results are interesting. There are a lot of snails in this tank, cerith and nerite mainly. I wonder if I should just make this a theme for the other tank. Ornamental nuisance algae tank, lol.

 

[ClownWrangler]

try applying peroxide to the base of them via pipette
You can also pull with tweezers before applying peroxide

At this point I think I should just do water changes and do what I can to save the BTA. I don't want to stress it any further.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I thought about that but it has coated all my substrate. This will be very tedious. I will try.

On a side note:

I let it take over a invert QT on purpose along with bubble algae to see what would happen. The results are interesting. There are a lot of snails in this tank, cerith and nerite mainly. I wonder if I should just make this a theme for the other tank. Ornamental nuisance algae tank, lol.

Believe it or not, several years ago I was looking online for macro and found a couple places selling bubble algae!
Maybe you can find a market niche and make your fortune :)

 

[ClownWrangler]

Believe it or not, several years ago I was looking online for macro and found a couple places selling bubble algae!
Maybe you can find a market niche and make your fortune :)

Someone is selling brypsis on ebay. I might add some along with some live rock. What other nuisance algae might look good?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Someone is selling brypsis on ebay. I might add some along with some live rock. What other nuisance algae might look good?

No way! I would avoid byropsis if at all possible and certainly wouldn't pay for it! Good old gha is fine, lol.

The different colors and textures you have already are cool. Maybe add some caulerpa? There are several different types that are pretty common.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Someone is selling brypsis on ebay. I might add some along with some live rock. What other nuisance algae might look good?

Caulerpa