Red turf algae help!

[EpicWin]

I wish there was a way of manually removing mine. It's so entwined throughout the rock that its just not capable. I would have to break down the entire reef structure, remove the rock and proceed. I haven't added GFO because my NO3 and PO4 are both 0.

Epicwin - What laser did you use, lol? I hadn't thought about getting high tech.

Well. I have a 1.2 watt from lazerer.com 445 nm. Works well but is time consuming. If u can do it the hydrogen peroxide is easy and effective.

 

[Otter_rs]

It drives me crazy when people say that they have no Phosphates because their test kit says so.... First off, Tom is correct, if you have algae you have a phosphate or nitrate problem!!! Period! Nine times out of ten it is phosphate. What most people don't realize is that you are only testing for one type of phosphate and that is the inorganic variety. Most test kits that the general aquarist buys does not test for organic phosphate. And even if you don't have phosphate in the water column, you can have it within liverock or in sediment that feeds algae directly without showing on a test kit. I highly doubt that any of us has a phosphate free aquarium, no matter how good we are. Some are just better at keeping it in check than others.

 

[reefknight]

It drives me crazy when people say that they have no Phosphates because their test kit says so.... First off, Tom is correct, if you have algae you have a phosphate or nitrate problem!!! Period! Nine times out of ten it is phosphate. What most people don't realize is that you are only testing for one type of phosphate and that is the inorganic variety. Most test kits that the general aquarist buys does not test for organic phosphate. And even if you don't have phosphate in the water column, you can have it within liverock or in sediment that feeds algae directly without showing on a test kit. I highly doubt that any of us has a phosphate free aquarium, no matter how good we are. Some are just better at keeping it in check than others.

Wow....really?

This may be my first time encountering this algae issue, but not my first day maintaining salter water inhabitants.

I stated that due to the zero readings I hadn't added GFO. I gave parameters to be helpful for others' advice. I fully understand that if you have algae growth you have phosphate present. It's being nourished somehow. I didn't elaborate that I am still running an ulns system and obviously somewhere it's not doing its job too well. I'll need to take it offline before the addition of GFO.

Im utilizing two different test kits, both a Hanna checker and Hach kit and though neither are lab grade their just about the best hobbiest can utilize.

What drives me crazy...folks that get on a soap box and would like to talk down to others. Period!

Thank you to all others for their suggestions. I will do some due diligence and read up on the laser treatment.

 

[EpicWin]

This is a type of algae that likes very clean water. The usual arguments that phosphates and nitrates are the issue only speak to an individuals ignorance on the topic.

 

[EpicWin]

It drives me crazy when people say that they have no Phosphates because their test kit says so.... First off, Tom is correct, if you have algae you have a phosphate or nitrate problem!!! Period! Nine times out of ten it is phosphate. What most people don't realize is that you are only testing for one type of phosphate and that is the inorganic variety. Most test kits that the general aquarist buys does not test for organic phosphate. And even if you don't have phosphate in the water column, you can have it within liverock or in sediment that feeds algae directly without showing on a test kit. I highly doubt that any of us has a phosphate free aquarium, no matter how good we are. Some are just better at keeping it in check than others.

The fundamental problem with this argument is that you are saying you are right either way. You are saying that phosphate is there even if tests read 0. That would even be ok except more modern science indicates that phosphates are actually very important to marine systems in small amounts.

 

[KJAG]

Had a heavy outbreak a few months ago, bought a few Turbos that didnt seem to be interested, traded them for some different Turbos at the LFS and it was gone in a week. Have since gotten rid of the Turbos due to them knocking everything over

 

[EpicWin]

Had a heavy outbreak a few months ago, bought a few Turbos that didnt seem to be interested, traded them for some different Turbos at the LFS and it was gone in a week. Have since gotten rid of the Turbos due to them knocking everything over

Wow that's great to know that some eat it and others do not! Good observation!

 

[KJAG]

Bought four, there was only one or two bigger ones that really took it out. Also helps to monitor them and stick them back on the rock if they venture off

 

[jeffblly]

I have had fought this algae for several years and if any piece is left it will come back. Some turbos have helped but they cant get into the rock where it grows. The turbos keep it in check but I have not been able to erradicate it.

 

[Nuocmam]

I've had it for years. Low nutrient or not. I've learned to live with it :D

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

This is a type of algae that likes very clean water. The usual arguments that phosphates and nitrates are the issue only speak to an individuals ignorance on the topic.

Pretty harsh and uncalled for Epic. My comments were based on personal experience and observation. I'd hardly consider it ignorance.

 

[reefknight]

Had a heavy outbreak a few months ago, bought a few Turbos that didnt seem to be interested, traded them for some different Turbos at the LFS and it was gone in a week. Have since gotten rid of the Turbos due to them knocking everything over

Good to know!

I've had it for years. Low nutrient or not. I've learned to live with it :D

Do you find that yours over takes corals or frag plugs? I'm finding that mine has and has cost me a few very nice frags. Just trying to gather aas much information as possible from folks that have had this battle. Thank you for sharing!

 

[reefknight]

If you have algae growing, your PO4 is not zero. Your reading zero due the the algae consuming the phosphates.

The mechanical removal is helpful, but not required. If you don't manually remove it as it dies, it breaks down and releases nutrients back into the water column, lengthening the time it takes to eradicate the algae (this is another reason for the GFO.)

Here's the thread on Lasers - https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...use-lasers-controlling-pest-algae-corals.html It does work on Red Turf, but it requires long lase times and would be very difficult to do for large amounts. If you decide to try the laser, please carefully read through all the safety concerns.

Thank you Tom for posting the laser info.

For the record, I agree with you that there is PO4 present. When you say that you used GFO aggressively, how aggressive? Also I have never used Microbacter7 (always been a Zeo or Elos guy) what type of dosing regimen were you utilizing?

 

[StReNuOuS BiOmArKeR]

halloween urchin will have it done in 30 days flat. as long as your water quality is up to par

 

[Otter_rs]

It drives me crazy when people say that they have no Phosphates because their test kit says so.... First off, Tom is correct, if you have algae you have a phosphate or nitrate problem!!! Period! Nine times out of ten it is phosphate. What most people don't realize is that you are only testing for one type of phosphate and that is the inorganic variety. Most test kits that the general aquarist buys does not test for organic phosphate. And even if you don't have phosphate in the water column, you can have it within liverock or in sediment that feeds algae directly without showing on a test kit. I highly doubt that any of us has a phosphate free aquarium, no matter how good we are. Some are just better at keeping it in check than others.

Ok, I apologize if I rubbed anyone the wrong way with this comment. This comment stems from many people telling me over the years that they have no phosphates in an aquarium full of algae. I should not have posted my rant here. Unfortunately, it has become a pet peeve of mine when aquarists (i speak in general and am not pointing my finger at anyone) ignore their observations of an aquarium in response to their test kits saying that there is nothing wrong. Just because my statement was a simple one, it doesn't mean it was an ignorant one. I am well aware that algae issues can be more complicated than just nitrate and phosphate, but they are the largest playing factors. I have been fixing other people's algae problems for the past 18 years and have fixed hundreds of problems. I don't claim to know it all, but I am far from ignorant. Most people misuse phosphate test kits. They are only as good as their limitations. It has nothing to do with better technology and better kits. If you don't understand the limitations of a test kit, the numbers may be misleading is all I'm saying. Again, I am very sorry if I offended anyone. It was not my intention.

 

[Otter_rs]

This is a type of algae that likes very clean water. The usual arguments that phosphates and nitrates are the issue only speak to an individuals ignorance on the topic.

So are you saying that this type of algae does not respond in growth to phosphates and nitrates? If your comment was true, why is it that this stuff isn't taking over our most pristine reefs? The argument of the lack of predators in the aquarium is not a good one either, because if that's the only thing keeping it in check then we would all be plagued with this stuff. Be careful who you call ignorant here it only shows your own.

 

[VegasRick]

Mexican Turbos Snail will eat it along with urchins.
I have had this in my system for a couple of years. Anytime the nutrient levels get higher than what I think of as ULNS it starts growing again. It seems that while it will survive in tanks with nutrient levels lower than what hair algae survives in, if you can get your nutrient levels even lower it will die off.

 

[EpicWin]

Pretty harsh and uncalled for Epic. My comments were based on personal experience and observation. I'd hardly consider it ignorance.

Sorry. Sounded harsher than it was meant to be. This algae is one that just dosent play by the normal rules. I was just trying to point out that everyone knows the usual solutions. Lower ur phosphates etc etc. for this algae that is futile. This one requires desperate unorthodox measures. Sorry calmsea I didn't mean to be a jerk but re reading what I wrote I totally see how it came off that way.

 

[reefknight]

Ok, I apologize if I rubbed anyone the wrong way with this comment. This comment stems from many people telling me over the years that they have no phosphates in an aquarium full of algae. I should not have posted my rant here. Unfortunately, it has become a pet peeve of mine when aquarists (i speak in general and am not pointing my finger at anyone) ignore their observations of an aquarium in response to their test kits saying that there is nothing wrong. Just because my statement was a simple one, it doesn't mean it was an ignorant one. I am well aware that algae issues can be more complicated than just nitrate and phosphate, but they are the largest playing factors. I have been fixing other people's algae problems for the past 18 years and have fixed hundreds of problems. I don't claim to know it all, but I am far from ignorant. Most people misuse phosphate test kits. They are only as good as their limitations. It has nothing to do with better technology and better kits. If you don't understand the limitations of a test kit, the numbers may be misleading is all I'm saying. Again, I am very sorry if I offended anyone. It was not my intention.

It's all good, we all have those moments. ;)

This is absolutely one of those things that makes you shake your head and is frustrating!

 

[EpicWin]

My battle with it is going really well! I'm 99% rid of it and I had a ton! Hydrogen peroxide and my laser have absolutely done the trick.