What’s Next, the Plague!

[redfishblewfish]

I’ve gone through Hair Algae. Finally cleared it up. I’ve had a monster case of cyano…everything in the tank was covered in black! Lasted for over two months and caused for a monster upgrade of a skimmer, carbon reactor and phos reactor. And now I was sitting back enjoying the tank thinking that nothing else can touch me now….and viola…I now have the next plague to hit my tank….a dark maroon algae.

What the HE-double-hockey-sticks is this stuff? And how do I control it? My blue tang has been nipping at it and keeping it low cropped, but doesn’t seem able to clean it up. I also have an extensive cleaning crew that doesn’t seem to touch this stuff. It is strongly attached to the rock, unlike the cyano, which could be blown off.

I know the picture isn’t the greatest, but it is the dark stuff in the center of the picture surrounded by palys and trailing down the rock….a dark maroon color.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/psh54/Algae3303.jpg

[Amphiprion]

Do a search on Asparagopsis. I believe this is what you likely have. It is probably the most troublesome and persistent alga I have ever experienced (and I seen and been through a LOT of algae). It thrives in low nutrient levels that normally starve other algae, too. I suggest scrubbing it all off in a separate container and rinse thoroughly, since any little bit will form more. Some people have had luck with mexican turbo snails eating it, but it has been hit or miss. You'll also need to crop it in advance to maximize the likelihood of the snails eating it.