Algae ID and Solution?

richfavinger · 03/11/2012, 02:58 PM

Hi guys, got an Algae I need an ID on... and solution...

All tank parameters seem in line, Phosphates just tested 0.00 and has been no higher then 0.08 via digital meter. I do need to check Nitrates, but don't seem to have issues with hair, just this stuff, and some Turf Algae.

The tank is established and rock is too (nearly 8+ years old), brining it back to par.

I have 2 Emerald Crabs, 1 Pencel Urchin, 1 Serpent Star, 1 Cleaner Shrimp countless Turbo and Astraea, Blue, Red and Scarlet crabs...

No corlas in the system and 2 fish!

kissman · 03/11/2012, 05:39 PM

that looks like a macro algae, looks like it may be mermaids shot glass which is a type Caulerpa i think. If its growing that is why your phospahtes are 0 more than likely you have nitrates and phosphates even though they read 0

richfavinger · 03/11/2012, 10:28 PM

Solution?

D-Nak · 03/12/2012, 09:42 AM

Looks like Caulerpa nummularia. If you don't have something that will eat it (like a tang) the best way to get rid of it is manual removal -- tweezers work best. Make sure you get it all out, including the runners, which are the stringy parts that grab onto the live rock.

richfavinger · 03/12/2012, 10:03 AM

Thats what I was getting at... What will eat the stuff?
I was going to put in an order for some Nassarius Vibex (for the sand bed), and some more blue legs. But while I'm at it I was going to look for a Kole Tang. I had a Fox Face before that was very nice. Just don't know if I want to deal with the danger factor involved with a Fox again.

Was also going to look into a Tuxedo Urchin. My Pencil Urchin seems to like one spot/aria and really doesn't move around much, nor head into the forest to mow it down!

Thoughts?

BigCountry74 · 03/12/2012, 11:24 AM

+1 Caulerpa

you got a fuge? remove it from DT and put it in the fuge for sure.

brandon429 · 03/12/2012, 11:32 AM

You should consider the peroxide thread, we have similar macro algae as a before and after pic (totally gone, clean off the rocks) somewhere around page 8 I think, check the thread. Its a nice option because it will remove your target without changing anything else about the tank.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2082359&page=7

richfavinger · 03/12/2012, 08:20 PM

Thanks Big, I do have a HOB fuge, but it's rocking out full of Chaeto, no real room.

brandon429, will look into it...

Other thoughts welcome!

richfavinger · 03/20/2012, 07:49 PM

Ok thinking about ordering some cleaners to aid in this (and other things)...

So far considerations are:
100x Nassarius Vibex (for the sand bed) can't beat the price ($25 from Reefs2Go)

[Crab pack]
50x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
25x White Leg Hermit Crabs
10x Red Leg Hermit Crabs

1x Colored Tuxedo Urchin (I want one!)
6x Mexican Turbo Snail ???
2x Emerald Crabs ??? (already have 2x)
1x Serpent Star ??? (already have 1x)

MAYBE a Kol Tang? I'd like to have one again... since I'm getting back in.

Thoughts?

03/11/2012, 02:58 PM	#1
richfavinger Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 866	Algae ID and Solution? Hi guys, got an Algae I need an ID on... and solution... All tank parameters seem in line, Phosphates just tested 0.00 and has been no higher then 0.08 via digital meter. I do need to check Nitrates, but don't seem to have issues with hair, just this stuff, and some Turf Algae. The tank is established and rock is too (nearly 8+ years old), brining it back to par. I have 2 Emerald Crabs, 1 Pencel Urchin, 1 Serpent Star, 1 Cleaner Shrimp countless Turbo and Astraea, Blue, Red and Scarlet crabs... No corlas in the system and 2 fish! __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: DSA 135g (48x24x27) Starphire, Elite Aquatics M2 Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200-INT, GEO 612 Calcium Reactor + AP Carbon Doser, 2x Radion Pro Gen2, 2x VorTech MP40

03/11/2012, 10:28 PM	#3
richfavinger Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 866	Solution? __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: DSA 135g (48x24x27) Starphire, Elite Aquatics M2 Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200-INT, GEO 612 Calcium Reactor + AP Carbon Doser, 2x Radion Pro Gen2, 2x VorTech MP40

03/12/2012, 10:03 AM	#5
richfavinger Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 866	Thats what I was getting at... What will eat the stuff? I was going to put in an order for some Nassarius Vibex (for the sand bed), and some more blue legs. But while I'm at it I was going to look for a Kole Tang. I had a Fox Face before that was very nice. Just don't know if I want to deal with the danger factor involved with a Fox again. Was also going to look into a Tuxedo Urchin. My Pencil Urchin seems to like one spot/aria and really doesn't move around much, nor head into the forest to mow it down! Thoughts? __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: DSA 135g (48x24x27) Starphire, Elite Aquatics M2 Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200-INT, GEO 612 Calcium Reactor + AP Carbon Doser, 2x Radion Pro Gen2, 2x VorTech MP40

03/12/2012, 11:24 AM	#6
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	+1 Caulerpa you got a fuge? remove it from DT and put it in the fuge for sure. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

03/12/2012, 08:20 PM	#8
richfavinger Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 866	Thanks Big, I do have a HOB fuge, but it's rocking out full of Chaeto, no real room. brandon429, will look into it... Other thoughts welcome! __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: DSA 135g (48x24x27) Starphire, Elite Aquatics M2 Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200-INT, GEO 612 Calcium Reactor + AP Carbon Doser, 2x Radion Pro Gen2, 2x VorTech MP40

03/11/2012, 05:39 PM	#2
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	that looks like a macro algae, looks like it may be mermaids shot glass which is a type Caulerpa i think. If its growing that is why your phospahtes are 0 more than likely you have nitrates and phosphates even though they read 0

03/12/2012, 09:42 AM	#4
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	Looks like Caulerpa nummularia. If you don't have something that will eat it (like a tang) the best way to get rid of it is manual removal -- tweezers work best. Make sure you get it all out, including the runners, which are the stringy parts that grab onto the live rock.

03/12/2012, 11:32 AM	#7
brandon429 Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,460	You should consider the peroxide thread, we have similar macro algae as a before and after pic (totally gone, clean off the rocks) somewhere around page 8 I think, check the thread. Its a nice option because it will remove your target without changing anything else about the tank. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2082359&page=7

03/20/2012, 07:49 PM	#9
richfavinger Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 866	Ok thinking about ordering some cleaners to aid in this (and other things)... So far considerations are: 100x Nassarius Vibex (for the sand bed) can't beat the price ($25 from Reefs2Go) [Crab pack] 50x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs 25x White Leg Hermit Crabs 10x Red Leg Hermit Crabs 1x Colored Tuxedo Urchin (I want one!) 6x Mexican Turbo Snail ??? 2x Emerald Crabs ??? (already have 2x) 1x Serpent Star ??? (already have 1x) MAYBE a Kol Tang? I'd like to have one again... since I'm getting back in. Thoughts? __________________ Rich Current Tank Info: DSA 135g (48x24x27) Starphire, Elite Aquatics M2 Sump, Reef Octopus Diablo DCS200-INT, GEO 612 Calcium Reactor + AP Carbon Doser, 2x Radion Pro Gen2, 2x VorTech MP40