Need some help

[Russter]

Can someone please help me ID this algae that seems to be growing on all surfaces of rock that is hit by light. Grows very fast and is hard to pull off. Most seem to grow straight out of the rock on single leafs but some also have runners. Feels fairly course too.

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/Russter/20%20gal%20Reef%20Aquarium/IMG_0008.jpg

I will try to get some better pictures when the lights turn on.

Thanks

[Russter]

Here are some (hopefully) better pictures to help in ID

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/Russter/20%20gal%20Reef%20Aquarium/IMG_0512.jpg

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/Russter/20%20gal%20Reef%20Aquarium/IMG_0514.jpg

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/Russter/20%20gal%20Reef%20Aquarium/IMG_0519.jpg

http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad112/Russter/20%20gal%20Reef%20Aquarium/IMG_0521.jpg

[Russter]

Really? No one has any idea?

[willybub]

possibly Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae

[Russter]

possibly Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae

I think you are on to something there. Now what will eat it?

[willybub]

taken from http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=81

Many species of short creeping red algae exist so the hobby generally lumps all of them under the heading "Gelidium", (the genus that is home to many of those species), and the common name Red Turf Algae, or Red Wiry Algae.

Manual Removal - Difficult. Macros that have fragile runners and creep along the rock are the hardest to manually remove. Do the best you can. Use a dental pick to do the most damage, DO NOT BRUSH. You will dislodge it and spread it. Yeah I know, it is boring as can be, but if you do it once surgically with a dental pick the problem goes away for good. If you can take the rock out, all the better.

Clean Up Crew- Emerald Crabs, urchins, sea hares, and large turbos.

Tip - Don't pass on frags with this stuff, don't put one in your tank. This algae has become extremely common on traded/aquacultured frags. So my advice is every time you add a coral or a rock look for it from now on.