Help! What will eat RED TURF ALGAE please!

Ralph ATL · 07/09/2008, 12:35 AM

I have a 55 gallon, so I am kinda maxed on fish. 5 fish plus 2 dragon-face pipes: 2 clowns, gramma, Talbot's Damselle, & Yellow Tang . Tang will be leaving next 6 months or so, and he is FAT!

Nitrates at .5
Phosphates below 0.024 (Merck)
Mag 1300
Calcium 450
ALK 12
Salinity 1.026
temp 78

I use Seachem Reef, plenty of flow, hummm..........any snail or creature will eat it? I heard it doesn't need much in nutrients.
Any suggestions welcome!

madadi · 07/09/2008, 12:44 AM

i had a big problem with it in my 90gal tank. i went and bought 8 sally lightfoot crabs. they ate it all in a couple of months. i can actually see my live rock now!

comsense · 07/09/2008, 07:59 AM

Is there also green turf algae?

I have been battling something that sounds similar but have not been able to ID it.

Amoore311 · 07/09/2008, 08:07 AM

You want this guy right here, he is the MVP of my Clean Up Crew:

I've also seen my blue leg hermits eat it, but the Sea Urchin is what really took my Red Turf algae out.

Ralph ATL · 07/09/2008, 11:03 AM

I can't have crabs cause of my pipefish. I have a Tuxedo urchin, but he just eats calc & what little green I have. Any snails that eat it? Any other suggestions? What kind of urchin is that? Is it reef safe?

Amoore311 · 07/09/2008, 11:10 AM

It's a Hairy Pincushion.

It is 100% Reef Safe

Ralph ATL · 07/09/2008, 11:15 AM

Thanks!

Ralph ATL · 07/09/2008, 10:54 PM

any other suggestions? any snails?

Ralph ATL · 07/10/2008, 10:32 AM

I heard Mexican turbo snails might work? Anyone have any luck with them at removing red turf?

masterfuji01 · 07/10/2008, 11:05 AM

I have some red turf algea and the mexican turbos are all over it. I have 4 im my 60 and they have been going at it for about 3 weeks. I have definately seen a reduction in the amount of the red turm algea on my rocks. Hopefully they will completely eradicate the stuff after a few months.

good luck.

Ralph ATL · 07/10/2008, 11:08 AM

that sounds good

Toddrtrex · 07/10/2008, 11:17 AM

I had a little bit in my 29, and in the sump for my 75. One Mexican turbo in each did the trick.

The reason I went with one is that the amount of red turf wasn't that large, and I wanted to make sure there was enough for it to eat after the red turf was gone.

Lowredranger · 08/12/2008, 07:30 AM

What else does your hairy Pincushion eat when you are out of red turf, Is he a bull dozer like the rest? thanks
Jason

Amoore311 · 08/12/2008, 09:42 AM

Bulldozer not so much. He will pick up loose frags and the occasion crab/snail though.

I really don't get a lot of algae in the tank tbh. When it pops up it's usually turf and he mows through it right away.

Tswifty · 08/12/2008, 09:44 AM

+ whatever... on the mexican turbo snails

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php

Ralph ATL · 08/12/2008, 11:15 AM

turbo snails did the trick!
Thanks!

Lowredranger · 08/12/2008, 11:19 AM

I read the article and that red algae looks like that puff ball kind mind seems to be of the same consistency but is stuck pretty good to the rock. I will pick up some snails and hopefully they do the trick. I may see if the local lfs has an urchin too.

Zann · 08/12/2008, 11:35 AM

i put two turbos in my 30 gal they have just about ate all the turf algae on my rock work .

Lowredranger · 08/12/2008, 11:52 AM

Here is a pic of what algae i have is it the same as what you guys have been fighting? I think there are 2 different kinds there is the brighter red kind up in the middle on the left and right and a darker red right above the elegance in the middle.

FlyinggFish · 08/12/2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lowredranger
Here is a pic of what algae i have is it the same as what you guys have been fighting? I think there are 2 different kinds there is the brighter red kind up in the middle on the left and right and a darker red right above the elegance in the middle.

Your tank is beautiful!!!!!!

Mykel Obvious · 08/12/2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lowredranger
Here is a pic of what algae i have is it the same as what you guys have been fighting? I think there are 2 different kinds there is the brighter red kind up in the middle on the left and right and a darker red right above the elegance in the middle.

There's algae in that tank???

then you better send me your purple plate coral just in case

its fry · 08/12/2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amoore311
You want this guy right here, he is the MVP of my Clean Up Crew:

I've also seen my blue leg hermits eat it, but the Sea Urchin is what really took my Red Turf algae out.

Sorry to thread jack... Does this guy have the potential to damage/eat any coral?

07/09/2008, 12:35 AM	#1
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	Help! What will eat RED TURF ALGAE please! I have a 55 gallon, so I am kinda maxed on fish. 5 fish plus 2 dragon-face pipes: 2 clowns, gramma, Talbot's Damselle, & Yellow Tang . Tang will be leaving next 6 months or so, and he is FAT! Nitrates at .5 Phosphates below 0.024 (Merck) Mag 1300 Calcium 450 ALK 12 Salinity 1.026 temp 78 I use Seachem Reef, plenty of flow, hummm..........any snail or creature will eat it? I heard it doesn't need much in nutrients. Any suggestions welcome! __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/09/2008, 12:44 AM	#2
madadi ReefOG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Morton grove, IL Posts: 3,976	i had a big problem with it in my 90gal tank. i went and bought 8 sally lightfoot crabs. they ate it all in a couple of months. i can actually see my live rock now! __________________ -~adrian~- LETS TRADE YUMAS Current Tank Info: Glass box.

07/09/2008, 11:03 AM	#5
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	I can't have crabs cause of my pipefish. I have a Tuxedo urchin, but he just eats calc & what little green I have. Any snails that eat it? Any other suggestions? What kind of urchin is that? Is it reef safe? __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/09/2008, 11:10 AM	#6
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	It's a Hairy Pincushion. It is 100% Reef Safe __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

07/09/2008, 11:15 AM	#7
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	Thanks! __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/09/2008, 07:59 AM	#3
comsense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 53	Is there also green turf algae? I have been battling something that sounds similar but have not been able to ID it.

07/09/2008, 08:07 AM	#4
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	You want this guy right here, he is the MVP of my Clean Up Crew: I've also seen my blue leg hermits eat it, but the Sea Urchin is what really took my Red Turf algae out.

07/09/2008, 10:54 PM	#8
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	any other suggestions? any snails? __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/10/2008, 10:32 AM	#9
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	I heard Mexican turbo snails might work? Anyone have any luck with them at removing red turf? __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/10/2008, 11:05 AM	#10
masterfuji01 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Laguna Niguel Posts: 479	I have some red turf algea and the mexican turbos are all over it. I have 4 im my 60 and they have been going at it for about 3 weeks. I have definately seen a reduction in the amount of the red turm algea on my rocks. Hopefully they will completely eradicate the stuff after a few months. good luck.

07/10/2008, 11:08 AM	#11
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	that sounds good __________________ Ralph Scheriff

07/10/2008, 11:17 AM	#12
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I had a little bit in my 29, and in the sump for my 75. One Mexican turbo in each did the trick. The reason I went with one is that the amount of red turf wasn't that large, and I wanted to make sure there was enough for it to eat after the red turf was gone. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/12/2008, 07:30 AM	#13
Lowredranger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 1,300	What else does your hairy Pincushion eat when you are out of red turf, Is he a bull dozer like the rest? thanks Jason __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 280g peninsular bar, 4 vortechs, 10x80w ATI Powermodule, Orca 250 Pro, Dart Return, geo 618 calcium reactor, Apex controller

08/12/2008, 09:42 AM	#14
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Bulldozer not so much. He will pick up loose frags and the occasion crab/snail though. I really don't get a lot of algae in the tank tbh. When it pops up it's usually turf and he mows through it right away. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

08/12/2008, 09:44 AM	#15
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	+ whatever... on the mexican turbo snails http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

08/12/2008, 11:15 AM	#16
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	turbo snails did the trick! Thanks! __________________ Ralph Scheriff

08/12/2008, 11:19 AM	#17
Lowredranger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 1,300	I read the article and that red algae looks like that puff ball kind mind seems to be of the same consistency but is stuck pretty good to the rock. I will pick up some snails and hopefully they do the trick. I may see if the local lfs has an urchin too. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 280g peninsular bar, 4 vortechs, 10x80w ATI Powermodule, Orca 250 Pro, Dart Return, geo 618 calcium reactor, Apex controller

08/12/2008, 11:35 AM	#18
Zann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southaven Ms Posts: 569	i put two turbos in my 30 gal they have just about ate all the turf algae on my rock work .

08/12/2008, 11:52 AM	#19
Lowredranger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 1,300	Here is a pic of what algae i have is it the same as what you guys have been fighting? I think there are 2 different kinds there is the brighter red kind up in the middle on the left and right and a darker red right above the elegance in the middle. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 280g peninsular bar, 4 vortechs, 10x80w ATI Powermodule, Orca 250 Pro, Dart Return, geo 618 calcium reactor, Apex controller