Identify red turf algae

[stephenhall1987]

I need help identifying this red turf hair algae.
Also, best way to get rid of it?

75 gallon tank. Had somewhat elevated nitrates and phosphates. Was working on a green Derbesia hair algae problem. I got nitrates and phosphates down to 0. Derbesia starting to go away, but I've got this red algae starting to grow instead.







It started on the returns. Then I noticed it growing on my power heads. Now it's growing on this urchin, and on several rocks.
It is strongly attached. Doesn't scrub off as easily as the Derbesia.

Some red hair algae species I've found include:
Polysiphonia
Asparagopsis
Ceramium
Centroceras

Under the microscope, I'm not convinced that this is any of these species.

What kind of algae do you think this is?
How do I get rid of it?

Thanks

[slief]

It's called cotton candy algae. What kind of lights are you running? This can be caused by lower spectrum lighting and is fueled by high nutrients. FWIW, Mexican turbo snails will eat that stuff as well some tangs and rabbit fish. I get that stuff in my refugium under 6500k lights but never in my display.

[stephenhall1987]

2 cool white HO t5
2 Actinic HO t5
about 6 months old.
Moon lights are off.
Only running 5 hours a day since I've been fighting Derbesia.

I just put some more turbo snails in this week. I'll see what they do...

[slief]

I can't help but wonder if the cool white are part of your problem. Cool white bulbs are 6000-6500k spectrum which is a sweet spot for that kind of algae. Are those shop bulbs or aquarium bulbs. More importantly, reef bulbs?

[stephenhall1987]

I just went and double checked. It's a bran new (6 months) aquatic life 4 bulb t5 fixture.
2x 10,000k
1x 420/460 Actinic
1x 460/620 Purple
all aquatic life brand bulbs

[slief]

Those aren't cool white bulbs then. Get some Mexican Turbo's..