ID and maybe some advice

cncguy · 11/05/2013, 09:06 PM

Can someone tell me what this red 'grass' looking stuff is overtaking the green zoas? It's not slimy at all, like stiff grass. Good, bad, indifferent? And any ideas what could be wrong with the zoas on the frag plug, and the palys (I think), on the rock behind the clown? Is it lighting? I've had them all over the tank, bottom, middle, top. I know it'll get asked, so here's the parameters I've checked: SG 1.024, PH 8.2, KH 11, Phos 0, Nitrate 0, and Calcium is quite high at around 560, trying to get it down. Stock flow, plus a aqueon 500gph if I remember correctly. Shrooms do good, GSP doin good, and some zoas are fine. Only 1 fish. It's a 12 JBJ nano with stock PC lights. Was thinking of replacing with a panorama pro RBG. I like zoas and would love to have more success. Dose iodine maybe? Any thoughts? Is the lighting a potential problem? Is the calcium a big problem? I've had my 90gal for a while, but just started this nano 'reef' about 6 mo ago.

bru65 · 11/05/2013, 09:23 PM

Could be the start of "pink fuzzy algae". Don't know the scientific name but you can do a search. Mexican Turbo snails are great at eating this kind of algae.

UTCReefer · 11/05/2013, 10:02 PM

Looks like red turf algae. It loves light, clean water and lots of flow. Basically everything you are striving for in a reef tank. Mexican Turbo's love it but i havent found anything else (snail wise) that does. My tang picks at it but the turbo can literally strip that stuff from rocks and glass and is really your best bet.

brandon429 · 11/05/2013, 10:24 PM

The correct action is war

It'll get ya

Go grazer if you want, but the first rule about how to have an algae free tank is missing
(Permit no algae to be seen using any method)
Read how many were using grazers here:

Pico reef pest algae challenge thread

Nobody is against cuc

I quit playing nice with this stuff when my first pico reef was taken by it

Its my opinion that algae control is two fold

You ensure there is zero in the tank, your hand. When you see an invader starting, make it disappear. Get creative.
Gfo, nutrient control, lighting, grazers are prevention. If you can see the invader, they have failed so you revert back to rule one. Then hope you get lucky with preventers.

Using the method above it is possible to eradicate all pests from wrecking tanks. You can tell by that challenge thread that people need new approaches/attitudes on algae control. We have only been permitted to run indirect controls for algae... told everything else was a bandaid. Some might disagree.

cncguy · 11/06/2013, 01:57 PM

Any input on my other questions?

cncguy · 11/06/2013, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the responses on the red turf algae. Luckily I have some turbos in my 90, so took one and set him right on it. Although I'm not sure if he's mexican, he appears to be likin it so far. Any other advice or suggestions on zoa/paly care that I mentioned, or my lighting question?

Drboomson · 11/07/2013, 03:13 AM

I would go with these http://www.ecoxotic.com/ecopico-accessories.html over the RBGs as the RBGs seem to do better accenting the bigger panorama modules

cncguy · 11/07/2013, 12:21 PM

Ah, I never saw those!!! Looks like a good idea. Any advice on how many, and which color combinations for most pop, and growth?

cncguy · 11/07/2013, 08:01 PM

Anyone have anymore thoughts/suggestions on my questions. How may of the eco pico lights, and which colors for most pop and growth of zoas and such?

11/05/2013, 10:24 PM	#4
brandon429 Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,460	The correct action is war It'll get ya Go grazer if you want, but the first rule about how to have an algae free tank is missing (Permit no algae to be seen using any method) Read how many were using grazers here: Pico reef pest algae challenge thread Nobody is against cuc I quit playing nice with this stuff when my first pico reef was taken by it Its my opinion that algae control is two fold You ensure there is zero in the tank, your hand. When you see an invader starting, make it disappear. Get creative. Gfo, nutrient control, lighting, grazers are prevention. If you can see the invader, they have failed so you revert back to rule one. Then hope you get lucky with preventers. Using the method above it is possible to eradicate all pests from wrecking tanks. You can tell by that challenge thread that people need new approaches/attitudes on algae control. We have only been permitted to run indirect controls for algae... told everything else was a bandaid. Some might disagree. Last edited by brandon429; 11/05/2013 at 10:35 PM.

11/07/2013, 03:13 AM	#7
Drboomson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: So Cal Posts: 15	I would go with these http://www.ecoxotic.com/ecopico-accessories.html over the RBGs as the RBGs seem to do better accenting the bigger panorama modules __________________ 120g Visio (48x24x25) 40B sump/15g Fuge; 200lbs LR/200Lbs Fiji Pink; 2x18" ecoxotic Panoramas W/ 10 Modules; Jebao WP40; Bubble Magus Curve 7; BRS GFO/Carbon Reactor; Mag 9 Return Current Tank Info: 120g w/ 40B sump/fuge

11/05/2013, 09:23 PM	#2
bru65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 22	Could be the start of "pink fuzzy algae". Don't know the scientific name but you can do a search. Mexican Turbo snails are great at eating this kind of algae.

11/05/2013, 10:02 PM	#3
UTCReefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 652	Looks like red turf algae. It loves light, clean water and lots of flow. Basically everything you are striving for in a reef tank. Mexican Turbo's love it but i havent found anything else (snail wise) that does. My tang picks at it but the turbo can literally strip that stuff from rocks and glass and is really your best bet.

11/06/2013, 01:57 PM	#5
cncguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kane, PA Posts: 296	Any input on my other questions?

11/06/2013, 07:43 PM	#6
cncguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kane, PA Posts: 296	Thanks for the responses on the red turf algae. Luckily I have some turbos in my 90, so took one and set him right on it. Although I'm not sure if he's mexican, he appears to be likin it so far. Any other advice or suggestions on zoa/paly care that I mentioned, or my lighting question?

11/07/2013, 12:21 PM	#8
cncguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kane, PA Posts: 296	Ah, I never saw those!!! Looks like a good idea. Any advice on how many, and which color combinations for most pop, and growth?

11/07/2013, 08:01 PM	#9
cncguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kane, PA Posts: 296	Anyone have anymore thoughts/suggestions on my questions. How may of the eco pico lights, and which colors for most pop and growth of zoas and such?