Get Red Hair Algae Off LPS Coral

swsm · 12/07/2012, 06:31 PM

I was wondering how I can get red hair algae off of my Cynarina. I purchased it from the LFS and I noticed that there was some red hair algae growing on it. I don't have any algae in my aquarium at the moment except on the Cynarina, so I don't think I need to treat the tank. I noticed when I buried it in the sand, the sand around the area started to get some of the algae.

I wanted to treat the coral as soon as possible so I don't have to worry about an outbreak.

Here's an image of the cynarina.
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/k6752

MechEng99 · 12/08/2012, 06:08 PM

That looks like cyanobacteria - likely being fueled by the coral dying. Are you able to blow it off with a pipette? If so, it's a water quality issue you have.

If you can't blow it off, then you can (carefully!!) do a 20 second dip in a 10:1 tank water to hydrogen peroxide mixture. If the coral looks stressed, get it out.

swsm · 12/08/2012, 07:45 PM

Thanks for the response! I actually did read about hydrogen peroxide. I ended up using a Q-Tip to swab the cyano on the skeleton tips and the cynarina inflated back up like magic! I had the cynarina in an area that I guess it didn't like (where it started to slowly accumulate the bacteria). Once I moved it to the sand bed, it seemed to be a lot happier.

12/07/2012, 06:31 PM	#1
swsm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 21	Get Red Hair Algae Off LPS Coral I was wondering how I can get red hair algae off of my Cynarina. I purchased it from the LFS and I noticed that there was some red hair algae growing on it. I don't have any algae in my aquarium at the moment except on the Cynarina, so I don't think I need to treat the tank. I noticed when I buried it in the sand, the sand around the area started to get some of the algae. I wanted to treat the coral as soon as possible so I don't have to worry about an outbreak. Here's an image of the cynarina. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/k6752

12/08/2012, 06:08 PM	#2
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	That looks like cyanobacteria - likely being fueled by the coral dying. Are you able to blow it off with a pipette? If so, it's a water quality issue you have. If you can't blow it off, then you can (carefully!!) do a 20 second dip in a 10:1 tank water to hydrogen peroxide mixture. If the coral looks stressed, get it out. __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

12/08/2012, 07:45 PM	#3
swsm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 21	Thanks for the response! I actually did read about hydrogen peroxide. I ended up using a Q-Tip to swab the cyano on the skeleton tips and the cynarina inflated back up like magic! I had the cynarina in an area that I guess it didn't like (where it started to slowly accumulate the bacteria). Once I moved it to the sand bed, it seemed to be a lot happier.