Red Turf Algae/Algae Control 3/16/09
Hey Guys and Gals,
<Eric>
I hope the onset of summer is treating you all well, we're still knee deep in snow here in Edmonton.
<Yikes, brings back unpleasant memories. Years ago I had landed in  Edmonton, then drove to Wetaskawin to set up some automated welding equipment. It was the month of January and I couldn't believe how cold it was. Geez, if you didn't plug your car in at night, you were not going anywhere in the morning. Brrr!>
I look at my little slice of reef and imagine myself somewhere a little more warm, where people were actually meant to survive, hehe.
<Amen.>
Quickish question about turf algae. That is what I believe I have, it is red wine colored, about 2mm-1cm in length, and has little runners that cling to the rock and make it impossible to move. I also have a red algae that grows in horizontal plates, looks quite pretty but grows everywhere. The hairy stuff started in a patch about the size of a quarter and has since spread to more than half of my live rock. I'm taking the following measures to get rid of it, just wanted your opinion, and any suggestions.
<A picture here would have helped much.>
I read on your sight that red algaes don't like light and thus I increased my photoperiod to 12 hours. I have a mix of T5 (2x18W, 10,000K) and CF (1x Actinic, 1x10,000K).
I upgraded my skimmer from a Prizm Pro to an Aqua C remora with a MaxiJet1200 (amazing how much more gunk this pulls out).
<This improvement will help you here, don't expect overnight results though.>
Changed the flow pattern in the tank (two Koralia nano powerheads both on the back corners, pointing towards the front center of the tank), about 500gph.
Using a phosphate removal media, and nitrate sponge, as well as activated carbon, in a converted hang on back filter.
Trying to remove the really hairy bits, but it's on there solid.
Way lowered the amount I feed to my fish. Once every two days now, a mix of new life spectrum flakes, algae flakes from Betta, and a mix I made myself of frozen seafood.
The flat algae is going from red to orange, and then white, and I pull that out as much as possible, it was easier to remove and seems to be dying first anyway. When most of it was gone, the red turf algae rapidly increased it's growth rate, I'm assuming because the nutrients the other algae consumed were now available for the surviving algae.
<Likely.>
Rats. I have two Mexican turbo snails, an emerald crab, 3 blue legged hermits, one scarlet hermit, and about 20 Nassarius snails.
<Nassarius are favored more as carnivores/detritivores.>
I'm thinking of getting more Turbos,
I've heard they like the red turf algae. Any other suggestions for herbivores would be good, can't do fish though, it's only a 29 gallon tank, no sump, and has a full livestock load.
<What is your fish load? You may be importing nutrients faster than you can export.>
The water chemistry has been fine, pH has been hard to keep up, possibly from all the dead/dying algae driving it down.
<Also a sign of a high bio-load.>
I'm using Seachem Marine
buffer to raise it back up. Calcium hovers at around 400-450ppm. I'd like to keep it around 350-400 as I only have polyps, mushrooms, one leather and a few LPS corals. Alkalinity is also low, until I add the buffer to bring it up, only takes a few days to fall back down though. Temperature stays around 80, occasionally rises to 81-82 (I don't have thermostat control in this place, and they guys downstairs get inexplicably cold occasionally....).
<Doesn't surprise me, I was cold taking a hot shower there.>
Nitrates are always at 0, but I'm guessing they are just consumed by the algae. Same with phosphates, they hover around 0.05-1.0.
I do regular 5gal water changes once a week, with R/O water.
It is quite frustrating... the water is beautifully clear, but this algae just won't go away... any comments/suggestions would be awesome!
<May want to replace the carbon with Chemi Pure, much more effective and will aid toward raising your pH. Cleaning the riser tube in your skimmer every
couple of days will increase it's efficiency. Do read here and related articles/FAQ's.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Eric

Re  Red Turf Algae/Algae Control 3/16/09
Hey There,
<Eric>
Answers to those questions quickly. I'll try to get a picture soon for you.
I have two false Percula Clownfish, a Purple Firefish, a Fire Shrimp and a Coral Beauty Angel.
<In future queries, please cap the names of fish, inverts, etc. Thanks.>
I've been putting off removing the coral beauty, as I realize he's going to grow too big for the tank, but I was hoping to eventually get a bigger tank to transfer him to.
<The Coral Beauty needs more room than a 29 gallon can provide.>
It's a long story, but essentially our landlord won't let me have anything bigger than a 29gal, I want to upgrade to a 72 gal bowfront, or even a 175 gal bowfront (gotta dream right?). Of course this would mean buying this house or moving, so things are at a standstill (is wanting a better tank a bad reason to want a house? haha).
<Nah, I'd buy a beer truck if that was the only way I could get some beer.>
I think I may need to just bite the bullet and pull the angel out of there... I love him but he has started to grow.
<Yes, he would be much happier in a larger system and will lower your waste level.>
I change my carbon every week, so once it's gone I'll use the Chemi Pure to give that a try.
I do clean the riser tube every day.... it pulls out more gunk in a day than the old skimmer did in a week. Thanks again for the help, stay warm! We got
another 5 inches of snow last night and I have to go unbury the car now.
<Pain in the arsh, isn't it.>
Sigh.
<Cheers. James (Salty Dog)>
Eric

Red algae. ID, control, more  – 09/07/08 Hello WWM crew, <Hello Ed> My name is Ed, and I have an algae issue in my 4 year reef tank, and I'm going crazy trying to identify it and trying to halt its advance. I have attached two photos of it. Hopefully you have seen this type before and tell me if anything will consume it. I have searched WWM in hopes of finding it with no luck. In one of the picture's you will also see a type of starfish that literally wraps itself around this algae. Don't mind the 3 year old Mandarin as he is fat and happy... <I have seen this algae many times. It is in my tank!!! I have been plagued by this algae that seems to have originated from the Bali region of the Indo-Pacific coming in on maricultured corals sold at local fish stores. Eric Borneman and I have discussed this in detail. This thread at his forum shows pictures and there is a large discussion... http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic71371-9-1.aspx Eric has taken Trochus snails to overcome and control his algae while I use sea urchins from the diadema family.(Black long spines)We both feel that this only controls the algae as it can have very small fragments growing in other areas of the tank we can not see. In your direct case, I recommend the removal of any rock with the algae present as it is very invasive. You can than soak that rock in vinegar and strip the life off of it, allow it to dry, and then return it to your system to become re-established with life forms. If the rock is attached or encrusted with corals, you can either frag(CUT) the coral from the rock and attach it to another rock with Super-glue Gel, or clean the rock as best as possible. If you clean the rock you may have to repeat this procedure several times. Always clean the rock in a separate container and rinse before returning to the main system. This will prevent spreading fragments of the algae thru out the system. The addition of Trochus snails will help as the ones I have do eat it also.(Very well, too) Just make sure they are Trochus snails as the other grazers do not eat it. Some have reported that a Foxface Rabbitfish will eat it also. I have not had such luck.> Tank parameters are good, Ammonia-0, Nitrates and Nitrites-0, Ph 8.3, Alk is on the lower end at 2.97.<I would raise Alk to 3.5 and begin checking your Calcium levels with your Alk levels. They work together and affect each other.> Sorry for the second e-mail but, I have added tank information for you. <No, problem. I deleted the duplicate. Good luck-Rich...aka...Mr. Firemouth>

Hypnea pannosa, Rhodophyte control, bio. pred.   8/13/08
Hi Crew,
<Campbell>
Looks like I have a lot of Hypnea Pannosa growing in my tank. I found some info, surprisingly only one result, on the WWM website in a post by Sara answered by Marco and Lynn.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maralgidf19.htm
In Lynn's' reply she mentions that it's food for people and fish but doesn't go on to say which fish?
<Mmm... is used as a source of Carrageenan, and consumed by humans fresh as "salad" in places... I imagine "the usual suspects" in the way of fish groups would consume it... esp. Acanthurids, Siganids, Pomacanthids...>
Although the algae is pretty it can be a pain especially at harvesting time. Since it so brittle I usually leave it until I can detach it in large clumps, any sooner and it breaks up and clogs the pump intakes, where it promptly anchors and starts growing again.
Trouble with harvesting big clumps is the algae branches are haven to large populations of Copepods, Amphipods and even Bristle/Fire worms. Last time I harvested I spent four back breaking hours hunched over a tub with tweezers and pipettes separating the little critters from the algae so I could return them to the tank. I hope to avoid this in future so I wonder if you could tell me which fish genus and, even better, which particular species will eat this algae. Failing that are there any crabs or snails that would do the job?
Many thanks in advance,
Campbell
<In how large a system, with what other purposeful livestock? A "stock" choice would be the Surgeons of the genera Ctenochaetus and Zebrasoma... Bob Fenner>

Red Turf Algae in my overflow box...acting as a nutrient scrubber?  1/29/07
Dear Crew,
<Russell>
Yet another red turf algae question... A few weeks ago I noticed a thick carpet of red turf algae (after searching your website, possibly Polysiphonia) growing in my overflow box, but barely any in my tank. I thought to myself, "Hey...I have the answer to this!" So I covered the overflow box with a piece of dark Tupperware (high tech) and sure enough, in a week or so it was dead.
<Good going>
Then, to my surprise, it started popping out all over my tank in tight little bunches. Great stuff this algae. Not so much an invasion, but just numerous little tufts on the sharp edges of rock.   
I've tried not to take it personally.
<Heeee! Good attitude>
My tank parameters are pristine, although I suppose dKH is a little low at 7-8... but I've recently backed off dosing 2-part additive. I was going crazy with B-Ionic and the like, chasing numbers and turning my sump into a pile of concrete. Now, I'm just going for water changes instead, 10% per week.
<Good>
My skimmer is doing great and I have a well maintained RO/DI system. I have a Chaeto refugium. I've done a couple of 20% plus water changes with maybe positive results. Also, scrubbing it off with a brush seems to be keeping it mostly in check.
Questions:
When I starved it of "sunshine" did it seek revenge by releasing spores?
<Likely so>
Or was it possible the red algae lining of my overflow box actually been acting as a nutrient scrubber?
<This too>
It must have been growing there for some time.
Besides water changes, super-skimming, not over-feeding (I have a low biomass, 3 fish and a half dozen corals... softies, polyps, LPS) and perhaps bumping the dKH a little, any other suggestions for keeping this algae at bay?
<Mmm, do you have room, desire to add another organism? I'd try a genus Ctenochaetus tang... or a Salarias, Atrosalarias Blenny if they'll get along with what you currently have>
I've considered allowing it to grow back in my overflow box.
Could I possibly have too much light over my 75 gallon tank?
(2x250watts of 20K MH light 6 hours midday, 2x220watts 20K VHO 3hrs   morning, 3hrs late afternoon)?
Thanks,
Russell in KY
<Mmm, no... not IMO... I'd do about as you have thus far... and consider adding a/the purposeful algae eater. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Unexpected Affinity for Botryocladia   12/14/06
Dear Wet Web Media
<Hello there, Mich with you tonight.>
    I love your site and consult it often, thank you for all your work.  
<Thank you for your kind words.  Glad you find the site helpful.>
I recently moved and when I did I upgraded from a 55gal to a 180gal tank.  
<Very nice!>
I gave away all of my fish and inverts when I moved and started over with the new tank pretty much form scratch except for some live rock.  
<OK>
So I bought about 100 lbs more live rock and cycled the tank.  Its now been about six months and I've begun to add a few things.  My question comes because I've run into an issue with my stocking plan.  I was hoping to have a Kole Tang and some type of Dwarf Angel in the tank at some point however an unexpected thing came with the new live rock.  On several of the peaces <pieces> red macro algae began to grow ( I think its Botryocladia sp. form what I found on your site - long red strands of grape like balls )  Now the problem is that I've become somewhat attached to the algae after these months and I'm not sure that I want to introduce a fish that will completely wipe out the algae.  
<How nice, an unexpected affection.>
So is it possible that a single Kole Tang could eat all of the algae?  
<Hard to tell, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did.>
Or could the algae keep up with the grazing?  I always planned on adding clips of algae for grazing but wasn't sure if fish prefer live food?  
<Depends on the fish.>
And also about the Dwarf Angel?  Would the Angel graze less?  
<Less than a Kole Tang.>
Any help you could give me would be great.  
<If you care about this algae, which it sounds like you do, I would try to chip a piece of rock off with the algae attached.  Place it somewhere that the fish won't have access to it.  It could be in the main displace as long as it is well sheltered (but still getting adequate light and circulation) or you could try to grow it in another tank, be it your refugium or sump, or possibly share with a friend.  
Thanks again for the great site.
<Nice that you feel it is so.  -Mich>
Precision Metal Works
Jonathan Lockard

Botryocladia (red bubble algae)  10/26/06
I bet you have lots of questions like this. I did read the articles but could not come up with a plan for my specific tank. I have a 10 gallon tank, pretty small, live rock and sand are the mainstay. I have a pump, a charcoal filter-mostly for flow and breeding area for little creatures that look like 1/4inch size shrimp, and a air stone. I have mushrooms, 1 type of polyps and a portion of a frogspawn coral. Everything was happy for years. Then somewhere I  developed this red bubble algae, not to big of a problem I actually thought it was pretty as it had almost a gold luminance. Now it is so out of hand! It is growing on the small encrustations that grow in the tank, these are small about 1/4 inch also. They just came along. The only creatures in the tank are those small things I mentioned, some bristle worms that came with the live rock.  The problem is that the red bubble algae is now trying to grow on the frogspawn stalk and the polyps. I need help in controlling how much of this grows. I did leave an area for this to grow so that whatever nutrients it  was taking in would be used up however that did not work. It is extremely hard  to remove without breaking the sacs open or replanting these. Also  difficult to remove from the rock with the polyps. I did not know if I  should try a fish, or emerald crabs or what and that is what I am asking.
<Mmm, maybe...>
I  do have a 75 gallon saltwater tank without any bubble algae hair algae, much  easier to pull out), this tank has also been up and running reef tank  with only 1 fish, a pretty blue and yellow damsel. That tank has the  original frogspawn, xenia which likes to live everywhere), open brain  coral, slipper. All the parameters of both tanks are where you'd want them, as  is the lighting and temps. I cannot afford RO water so use tap. hence the  hair algae)
Any idea how to save the polyps on the rocks of the 10 gallon tank with the red bubble algae, I am fairly sure it is of the: Botryocladia (red  bubble algae) species.
<A few possibilities... Please read here:  http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgcompfaqs.htm>
Sue
<No mention of nutrient levels... or alkalinity, biomineral content... I would use water from the main tank, re-new/replace the LS, LR... Bob Fenner>

Re: Botryocladia (red bubble algae)  - 11/02/06
Before I sent my question to you regarding the red algae I did read all I could find using the search engine on WWM, that is how I found out what the algae was. I have also read WWM many many times over the past 6 years that I have had both reef tanks, I have found the questions and answers informative and helpful. However, when I feel the tank is crashing and I cannot locate the information that pertains specifically to the situation I am in or perhaps I just do not realize that answer would apply to my case too I have written in the  past. Generally every one answering was so nice, helpful and things worked out.
<Good>
What I eventually did after reading 3 articles on red algae was take all  the rocks out into another container w/water from the 75 gallon tank, scrape off and remove the algae by hand, added a green emerald crab, 3 margarita snails and  7 zebra snails.
<Good moves>
Hopefully, they will be able to eat the young algae as it forms  preventing another out break. I then used water for a small water change and  added water from the 75 gallon tank. While I probably have room for other creatures I have been reluctant to get any as it is such a small  tank, the LFS were not encouraging this size tank as they can quickly  develop problems. But, I would end up with the odd mushroom or polyp or  frogspawn and put those parts into this tank and they just took off doing so  well. The mushrooms and frogspawn took a beating having to do this.  Hopefully, they will have some resilience and perk back up. The polyps seem to  be lost and I do not know what will come of them. I would not have sent an email  requesting information on what to do unless I searched and researched not  just the WWW but Reef Central and other online to feel I could not find the  information. I am not sure I have enough of the cleaner crew but the LFS did not  want to sell more for 10 gallon tank. and have had to send email to WWM crew in  the past. Hopefully this will correct the situation. AND, hopefully my mushrooms  will live, the frogspawn is doing well and the polyps return.
Thank you,
Sue
<Please do keep me/us apprised. Bob Fenner>

Making Ogo Go-Go!   8/11/06
Just a quickie: Is there ANYTHING that will eat Gracilaria textorii?
<Umm....500,000,000 Tangs! LOL>
The dilemma? It's a 24 gallon; LPS, and zoos.
<Ahh...the problem.>
All my fellow reefers are out of ideas. Pygmy angel too big for 24 gallon. I am out of ideas and ripping the stuff out constantly does not help.
<Although my personal experience is with G. parvispora. I'll make the assumption (gulp) that its palatability is similar to other species. What that all means is that you are really limited to Tangs, Rabbitfishes and possibly, other harsh grazers (maybe Urchins)! Which of these would live comfortably in a 24 gallon tank? Probably none of them. My thinking is that you might need to "rent out" your rocks covered in the algae to friends with Tangs in appropriate-sized tanks. The other thought would be to remove the other photosynthetic life in your tank and go without light for several days. Perhaps this might knock off some of the macroalgae. On the other hand, if you do use this technique, you'll need to keep water quality high as the algae die off.>
My tang worked wonders when it was a 220 gallon. But my downsize after a move is letting the G. textorii get the better of me.
HELP!
<Well, it's sort of an interesting problem...For some people with Tangs, it would be a dream come true! Given your small quarters, manual extraction and the aforementioned "rent-a-rock" idea will help. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Getting Gelidium!
Hello guys!
<Scott F. your guy today!>
Hope all is well. 
Can you help me, I have red turf algae (Gelidium pusillus) that is slowly taking over my rock. The snails keep it short, but it is still a slow creep that covers up my coralline algae and is becoming a general nuisance. Do you know of anything other than tangs that eat this stuff? Inverts, crabs, slugs, anything?
<Grr...this is a miserable algae, which I've battled myself. I have yet to find an herbivore that eats this stuff, although a friend of mine swears that his Tuxedo Urchin has eaten the stuff...>
Once we get our giant skimmer setup that will slow it down, but until then I need help! This stuff is impossible to get rid of. You can't pull it off the rock, toothbrush scrubbing doesn't work, and I can't take all my corals off the rock and cure it. So what's a girl to do??
<There is a tactical nuclear weapon that the Air Force has tested...Nah, seriously, I think that you should continue with the tedious manual extraction until the skimmer is in operation. You could try the urchin, but beware of the potential collateral damage that this creature could cause...>
Thanks! Luv, M&M
<Good luck! And do relay any success that you have in destroying this awful stuff! Regards, Scott F>

Red Hair/Branching algae - Ceramium 5/31/04
Hello Bob,
<Anthony Calfo in his stead>
I hope you're well and in a good shape.
<the more years that go by with me working in front of a computer, the rounder I get. I'm thinking of strapping my laptop to a treadmill <G>>
I'm ok too, it could be better but it could be worse....
<keep on keeping on my friend>
I have received a question about : "red algae Ceramium (???, do you know this algae?)
<the correct spelling is Ceramium with an "m". It is a nuisance species... one of the many things called "red hair algae". This one really is a doozy though. It naturally occurs in high nutrient near shore environments and often lives as an unwelcome epiphyte on other critters and substrates>
The aquarist has a wild growth of these algae and can't get rid of it.
<no worries... it can be controlled. Easily starved into submission with tighter nutrient control. Really... it can disappear in 2-3 weeks with wicked protein skimming. It probably got there because of poor protein skimming, weak water changes and/or weak water flow which allowed sediments to accumulate>
He asks for my help.  Al seems to be good in his measurements but he has a Ca test of 600, to heavy I think.
<I doubt that the reading is even accurate. Indeed too high. And if his Alk is not very low, then I am sure it is a misreading. Else, the poor chap is having a precipitous snowstorm as we speak <G>>
I ask for my help and I ask for the help of the supreme chancellor....
<Hmmm... yikes! And we've just been calling him "Bob" all along.>
He said he had a problem with his Ca reactor a while ago, what he did to help the problem, he didn't say, perhaps is the solution knowing what he did.... Read You. Regards, the best. Claude
<Claude, do suggest in concert with starving the algae out, some Diadema urchins (Pacific or Atlantic species). They will only be treating the symptom and not the problem, but will give results fast. They are marvelous algae grazers. One small urchin per 100 gallons if you want to be conservative. Prost! Anthony>

Botryocladia Predators
Hello.
<Hey, Mike G here>
I recently purchased a red grape macro (Botryocladia sp.) and would like to know if there are
snails that will eat algae, but not touch my red grape macro.
<An astonishing array of herbivorous marine life will consume Botryocladia species macroalgae, I am sorry to inform you. I would think it would be consumed soon after you began to fill your tank.>
Also, would a lawnmower blenny eat the red grape macro?
<I would think so.>

Fauchea for Tangs? 1/8/04
Hi, Will Tangs eat Fauchea and if so, does it supply nutrition similar to Tang Heaven?  
<it is not so readily accepted as Gracilaria. I am not sure about nutritional value though. I've seen the specs on Gracilaria (Tang Heaven), but nothing on Fauchea. My advice is to stick with Gracilaria... Fauchea can be a miserable nuisance over time. Somewhat noxious too>
Red Fauchea looks like a species that grows really well in a tank or refugium
<yes... because it is a nuisance <G>>
(we've tried several times to get Gracilaria to grow out for the tangs - no luck). Thanks!
<do try to find a copy of our "Reef Invertebrates" which has extensive coverage of refugiums, plants and algae species (the most comprehensive in the industry to date). But the crash course on Gracilaria is most people do not give it enough light (5 watts per gallon minimum... 2-3X even better), or enough water flow (very strong is needed to keep the colony tumbling in suspension in the aquarium). This algae is line or basket grown in shallow tropical waters under very bright light and strong wave action. Anthony>

Anotrichum barbatum (The Red Scourge!) - 05/17/05
I have what looks like red turf algae. Anotrichum barbatum was the name I was given.
<Is a red turf algae, yes.>
Is there anything I can do to get rid of it? All parameters are optimal (0 or correct levels). Lighting is 300 watts of VHO, HOB refugium, and a mini 606 power head. This tank is a 20L.
Current inhabitants are a clown, Kenya tree, BTA, lawn mower blenny, misc. blenny, scarlet hermits and blue leg hermits.
<You need much more flow, especially with that BTA. Please increase water flow to 10x-20x the tank volume.>
Is there something I can put in there that will eat it? Possibly a Nudibranch of sort?
<Not likely. This algae can be very troublesome to eradicate. Elevate your pH to 8.6 and keep it there for several weeks, this has proven successful for some. I would also recommend adding a protein skimmer to help with nutrient export...an AquaC Remora would serve you well here.>
Thank you very much, Stephen.
<Very welcome, Eric R.>

Tap water Rinse for Aiptasia?  Another Infestation of Aiptasia after Buying Gracilaria - QT!
Dear Crew,
<Paul>
After receiving in the mail, a half-pound of beautiful Gracilaria parvispora infested with Aiptasia, I am at a loss as to what to do with it. Currently, it is isolated in a bucket of saltwater with lighting and aeration but the vendor does not seem to want it back. Is it possible to completely kill the Aiptasia and its larvae by soaking the Gracilaria for several minutes with chlorinated tap water?
<Mmm, no>
I don't want to contaminate my aquariums but I hate to simply throw out the Gracilaria.
Thanks,
Paul
<I would go the route of using a purposeful Glass Anemone predator with this red algae, while still keeping it separate from your other systems. These Aiptasia-eaters are listed on WWM. Bob Fenner>  

Can I Get Some Ogo To Go? 09/25/05
Hello, I was at this site called Indo-Pacific Sea Farms and was reading about "Tang Heaven Red".  They call it a natural red sea weed that our tangs will love. Have you great people at W.W.M. ever heard of this stuff. If you have is it easy to grow in an aquarium like they say it is? <<Some Tangs love Gracilaria parvispora, also known as 'Ogo'. It is possible to grow Ogo though I would not say it is easy. Please see this link http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgfaqs.htm). You could also search WWM for "Gracilaria".>>
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
Jim Jesko
<<You're welcome. Cheers - Ted>>

Botryocladia  skottsbergii  HELP! Rhodophyte control in a nano   7/2/06
Hi
Great website. Its may mainstay of info.
<Glad it is of use to/for you>
I have mainly all PICO and NANO sized tanks. I have two tanks with beautiful growth of coralline and many zoos and other corals, however it being over run with  Botryocladia  skottsbergii. At first I did not mind it, but now its just gotten out of hand. Even my hermits and snails all sport coats of the stuff......
<Yikes... "Attack of the Sea Grapes"!>
Simply stated. I need it gone or at least a way to control it. I tired to manually clean it off the rocks, but it seems to propagate it.  
Tanks are much to small for a tang unless I "rent" a small one for awhile. I use I/O salt, SG is 1.026, temp 81 deg, cal 460, alk 11.6, ph 8.3, I use Chaeto for  nutrient export and run a protein skimmer as well. The tank that is worst is a 12 gal nano.
Is there any other small fish that would eat this stuff.......that would be better suited than a tang.......I sure do not want to ruin my live rock and its encrusted life.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Roy Hauer
<Mmm, an excellent discussion of various "bubble algae" here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php
including input on control means. Turbo species snails and small tangs of the genera Ctenochaetus and Zebrasoma would be my first tries... though these last can't live in such small confines indefinitely. Bob Fenner>

Red Algae
<<Greetings, JasonC here...>>
Can you give me some direction regarding where I am going wrong in trying to control the red algae (probably Centroceras & Wrangelia) in my aquarium? <<My guess would be BGA - Cyanobacteria, not really an algae but certainly behaves like one.>> I have a 50 gallon tank, Fluval 404, BakPak Skimmer and powerhead for circulation. I feed my 3 fish and 2 shrimp carefully. Readings are H 8.2, Temp 78-80, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 10 mg/L. I do a 5% water change every other week. I run 3x30 watt full spectrum and 1x30 watt actinic for 12 hours a day. I've just added a couple of small pieces of Marshall Island living rock and a small bunch of Caulerpa. However, the red algae covers everything within a week to 10 days. How can I reverse this?
<<I would add one or two powerheads to the tank, perhaps more to increase the water flow inside the tank. This is the best way as it makes it very difficult for the algae to take hold. You will also have to continue the manual removal until you gain the upper hand. Cheers, J -->>

Red algae/plant
Thanks for the feedback! My hermits, snails and cleaner shrimp haven't touched them from what I can tell (but maybe I just haven't seen it). 
<they are the wrong kind of herbivore for this job... they feed on microalgae/diatoms. You need a fish grazer likely>
Any idea what might find this thing tasty? 
<a Foxface/Rabbitfish or some tang species>
When should I be worried about it taking over the tank and possibly causing problems for other inhabitants?
<really just an aesthetic matter... trim back as you desire/wish>
Thanks again, Andy
<best regards, Anthony>

Fauchea Red Algae 11/3/03
Sorry, I do have one other question.  Have you heard of and know anything about Fauchea Red Algae? Thanks, Paul
<it is an interesting algae that can be a plague in tanks without proper nutrient control. Have you referenced this species on the website I sent you in the last e-mail? www.algaebase.org  see their links for this genus here - http://www.algaebase.org/action.lasso Anthony>

Macroalgae II 11/3/03
Thanks for the info.  I will research algae on your web site better.  I just have one more question about it.  From what you said below, I take it that I should pick one type of algae that I want to use, and use only that one, correct?  
<correct>
For example, if I think Chaetomorpha is the one to go with, buy and use nothing but it.
<exactly... else one species will dominate the others and worsen water quality in the process (during the fight). Anthony>

Botryocladia (red bubble algae) 1/11/04
New to the reef thing!!! So the questions might be silly sorry.
<no worries... keep asking questions and learning>
I have a 120 gal reef tank and about 130lbs of live rock. After buying the live rock I had run out of money so basically have watched the rock grow with only a couple corals in the tank and hermits and snails.
<excellent. Not enough aquarists have such time/patience to let the rock establish without fishes. The quality of live rock is much(!) better for this>
Anyway I have a lot of what I think is Botryocladia skottsbergii over a lot of the live rock. I don't really have any other "bad" algae problems no slime in my tank very few of the big green bubble. 1. Should I be concerned about it?
<not at all... it is very desirable to most aquarists. Rather hard to procure and somewhat "ethereal" in existence. Enjoy it while you can>
2. Is there anything that feeds on it?
<actually... and overwhelming variety of herbivores will eat it. It will disappear once you begin stocking the tank unless you take the time to set up a refugium on the tank (very good idea) and remove some that safe vessel for safe keeping. Anthony>