1st post to RC - Question about excessive growth on rock

patsheridan · 01/02/2017, 09:33 PM

Hi - long time reader, first post here.

I've just ordered up a few goodies from Aqua SD in San Diego, but thought I should first see if I can figure out if the red micro-algae (or whatever it is) all over my rockwork is something I need to be addressing, before I go too crazy adding more corals.

I've had this 75g mixed reef tank up and running for about 6 months, transferred the rock and corals and fish from a 40g I had for about a year. No prior experience with salt water tanks prior to that.

Water parameters are fairly stable at 1.026 salinity, 77.5 temp, 420 calc, 9.5 dKH alk.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any input.

Pat

minus9 · 01/02/2017, 09:42 PM

I really can't tell from my phone, but it looks like red turf algae. A major PITA! Turbos, urchins and chitons are what you need. I found turbos did the trick for me.

patsheridan · 01/02/2017, 09:52 PM

thanks - what's a turbo and a chiton?

Fish Keeper82 · 01/02/2017, 09:56 PM

Mexican turbos worked for me . Zebra turbos would not touch the stuff.

patsheridan · 01/02/2017, 10:00 PM

Sorry Minus9, I just looked them up. For a 75g tank, what would you recommend as far as type and quantity? If they do a good job I don't want to end up starving it/them if I were to get too many.

Fish Keeper82 · 01/03/2017, 05:33 AM

What you seem to have by your description is Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae.
I would get 2 Mexican turbos for a 75gal. That should be enough.
I keep 2 Mexican turbos and one Zebra turbo in a 125 for over a year now. Like I mentioned before my zebra won't touch the stuff. I added him initially then got the Mexican turbos. Next day algae was down 25 percent. About 1 week later all clean.
Good luck
https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

patsheridan · 01/03/2017, 09:38 AM

Thanks Fishkeeper. How/what do you feed the Turbos now that the algae is under control?

Fish Keeper82 · 01/03/2017, 11:42 AM

With only 3 turbos in a 125 gallon I do not need to supplement their feeding. There is enough on the glass and rocks to keep them fed. They keep rocks spotless. I see a bit of that Gelidium from time to time and its gone by the 3rd day.

01/02/2017, 09:42 PM	#2
minus9 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: I'm in the Valley, Dude! Posts: 1,349	I really can't tell from my phone, but it looks like red turf algae. A major PITA! Turbos, urchins and chitons are what you need. I found turbos did the trick for me.

01/02/2017, 09:52 PM	#3
patsheridan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: oakland, ca Posts: 12	thanks - what's a turbo and a chiton?

01/02/2017, 09:56 PM	#4
Fish Keeper82 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 691	Mexican turbos worked for me . Zebra turbos would not touch the stuff.

01/02/2017, 10:00 PM	#5
patsheridan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: oakland, ca Posts: 12	Sorry Minus9, I just looked them up. For a 75g tank, what would you recommend as far as type and quantity? If they do a good job I don't want to end up starving it/them if I were to get too many.

01/03/2017, 05:33 AM	#6
Fish Keeper82 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 691	What you seem to have by your description is Gelidium, Red Wiry Turf Algae. I would get 2 Mexican turbos for a 75gal. That should be enough. I keep 2 Mexican turbos and one Zebra turbo in a 125 for over a year now. Like I mentioned before my zebra won't touch the stuff. I added him initially then got the Mexican turbos. Next day algae was down 25 percent. About 1 week later all clean. Good luck https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

01/03/2017, 09:38 AM	#7
patsheridan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: oakland, ca Posts: 12	Thanks Fishkeeper. How/what do you feed the Turbos now that the algae is under control?

01/03/2017, 11:42 AM	#8
Fish Keeper82 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 691	With only 3 turbos in a 125 gallon I do not need to supplement their feeding. There is enough on the glass and rocks to keep them fed. They keep rocks spotless. I see a bit of that Gelidium from time to time and its gone by the 3rd day.