How can I control this purple macro algae

hillscp · 05/15/2011, 01:03 PM

This stuff came in on a frag.

Here it is trying to take over my Seriatopora guttatus

Here it is clogging up the inlet on my Overflow

Here is a bad picure of it growing up the back side of my T. Maxima

So my questions are

1. What kind of Algae is it?
2. What will control it.

I have a 125 (long) with a 55 gallon sump/Fuge full of Chaeto. Five Bartletts Anthias, Two Clowns (one O and one P (A Mated Pair LOL - they make percularis)) and a Koles Tang.

This is the only nusance algae I have in my aquarium. I was thinking a rabbit fish (Fox Face?) but I am not sure it would co-habitate with my Kole.

I hate it

hillscp · 06/10/2011, 08:58 AM

Bump

kb1916 · 06/10/2011, 10:35 AM

sorry I can;t answer your specific question on the purple algae but I would recommend in the future carefully checking any frags you get for things like this and pests before putting it in your display tank.
Also, in the pic, it looks like you may have some green bubble algae as well. I've been fightiing a losing battle with this stuff for years and have not found any solutions for it. If its just on one rock and you can move the frag, I would suggest taking this rock out of your tank before it spreads all over. I didn;t do that and now have bubble algae practically everywhere.

Juicer69 · 06/10/2011, 10:37 AM

You can send some to me.

mightymizz · 06/10/2011, 10:54 AM

Sorry, no advice here. But that just doesn't look like a fun thing to now have to deal with. Some algae is just a huge problem. Hope you don't have one of those types.

Best of luck!

Keep us updated to your progress.

hillscp · 06/10/2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb1916

sorry I would recommend in the future carefully checking any frags you get for things like this and pests before putting it in your display tank.

Thanks for that

It did come in on a frag.

As for the bubble algae I have had it since 1997 when I got the rock. It's pretty easy to deal with.

I'm starting manual removal. The stuff doesn't grow too fast as long as I keep up with it.

Does anyone know if there is a significant difference in what a Foxface will eat versus a yellow tang? I have never had either.

hillscp · 06/10/2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juicer69

You can send some to me.

That sounds like a loaded comment LOL. Let me know why you want some. Do you frequent the algae forum?

thebkramer · 06/10/2011, 01:57 PM

I've had this weird purple stuff come in on a frag before.. I loved it because I love the color purple.. Within an hour after lights out.. my turbo snails demolished it!!!

do you have any turbos in there??

Lynnmw1208 · 06/10/2011, 01:59 PM

I was going to say mexican turbos and they'll even eat cheato. It's really pretty though! I hope the bit of red macro I have growing doesn't turn into this lol.

hillscp · 06/10/2011, 06:14 PM

Thanks guys. I went and bought what was apparently the only 5 Mexican turbos in town. They're munching away. Prolly need about 95 more lol.

thebkramer · 06/10/2011, 06:19 PM

yAy!!

I'm sure that macro will be gone within days!!

sjwitt · 06/10/2011, 06:44 PM

Looks like it could be hypnea pannosa. It is reported to bloom in aquariums under good water quality conditions and seems to have a positive effect on water quality though it may shade or smother corals. It can be removed by hand or by using herbivores like surgeonfishes.

05/15/2011, 01:03 PM	#1
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	How can I control this purple macro algae This stuff came in on a frag. Here it is trying to take over my Seriatopora guttatus Here it is clogging up the inlet on my Overflow Here is a bad picure of it growing up the back side of my T. Maxima So my questions are 1. What kind of Algae is it? 2. What will control it. I have a 125 (long) with a 55 gallon sump/Fuge full of Chaeto. Five Bartletts Anthias, Two Clowns (one O and one P (A Mated Pair LOL - they make percularis)) and a Koles Tang. This is the only nusance algae I have in my aquarium. I was thinking a rabbit fish (Fox Face?) but I am not sure it would co-habitate with my Kole. I hate it __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995 Last edited by hillscp; 05/15/2011 at 01:52 PM.

06/10/2011, 08:58 AM	#2
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	Bump __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995

06/10/2011, 01:57 PM	#8
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	I've had this weird purple stuff come in on a frag before.. I loved it because I love the color purple.. Within an hour after lights out.. my turbo snails demolished it!!! do you have any turbos in there?? __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

06/10/2011, 01:59 PM	#9
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I was going to say mexican turbos and they'll even eat cheato. It's really pretty though! I hope the bit of red macro I have growing doesn't turn into this lol. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

06/10/2011, 06:14 PM	#10
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	Thanks guys. I went and bought what was apparently the only 5 Mexican turbos in town. They're munching away. Prolly need about 95 more lol. __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995

06/10/2011, 10:35 AM	#3
kb1916 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 63	sorry I can;t answer your specific question on the purple algae but I would recommend in the future carefully checking any frags you get for things like this and pests before putting it in your display tank. Also, in the pic, it looks like you may have some green bubble algae as well. I've been fightiing a losing battle with this stuff for years and have not found any solutions for it. If its just on one rock and you can move the frag, I would suggest taking this rock out of your tank before it spreads all over. I didn;t do that and now have bubble algae practically everywhere.

06/10/2011, 10:37 AM	#4
Juicer69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 21	You can send some to me.

06/10/2011, 10:54 AM	#5
mightymizz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 304	Sorry, no advice here. But that just doesn't look like a fun thing to now have to deal with. Some algae is just a huge problem. Hope you don't have one of those types. Best of luck! Keep us updated to your progress.

06/10/2011, 06:19 PM	#11
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	yAy!! I'm sure that macro will be gone within days!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

06/10/2011, 06:44 PM	#12
sjwitt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA, East Coast Posts: 896	Looks like it could be hypnea pannosa. It is reported to bloom in aquariums under good water quality conditions and seems to have a positive effect on water quality though it may shade or smother corals. It can be removed by hand or by using herbivores like surgeonfishes.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for Macro algae and Pods	DJ in WV	Appalachian Reef Society	1	05/15/2011 09:47 PM
Macro algae in Display Tank?	calziereef	Marine Plants & Macroalgae	2	07/29/2010 09:53 PM
Various Macro Algae - Good, Bad, or 'oh no!'?	inktomi	Marine Plants & Macroalgae	3	12/12/2009 06:14 PM
Need help with purple macro algae	Circesfire	New to the Hobby	1	02/07/2009 06:30 PM
Purple Macro Algae help	eazompa	Marine Plants & Macroalgae	4	07/28/2008 10:22 PM