purple stuff crowding my zoanthids

[bexarhunt]

I have bought some zoanthid rocks that had some purple type algae? growing on them and the purple stuff appears to be crowding my zoas. Although it is pretty, I still prefer it gone so my zoanthids can spread. What is it and how can I control it? I've tried cutting it off being careful not to let it fall back in the tank but it seems to like my trims :(

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/velmahunt/saltwater/IMG_8610.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/velmahunt/saltwater/IMG_8596.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/velmahunt/saltwater/IMG_8608.jpg

[Ping]

Asparagasum algae. It can grow to be a nuisance. I recommend that you vacuum it out as soon as possible.

The only thing I have found that eats the stuff is Mexican Turbos and it must be very short for them to eat it.

[Ping]

Oh and kalk will kill it also

[bexarhunt]

I can't vacuum it as it is stuck in the rocks.....How do I use kalk and will that be safe in nano's. One of my nano's is an 8 gallon and the other is a 14gallon that have this on a couple of rocks. I want it out.

[ErikH]

Get an exacto knife and try to cut a sliver of the rock underneath it if possible.... If not, frag the zoas and remove the rock and let it dry out completely.... Kalk may cause a ph swing in that little ol' tank.

[bexarhunt]

Wow! I just don't think I am experienced enough to try to cut out the zoas...Plus one of the rocks as you can see in the pic also has a tube worm totally inside the rock. I bought the rock from felipe with the tube worm in the rock and then I glued some zoas and GSP on it to give it some variety. Not too concerned about the GSP as I have lots more but don't want to loose the worm nor eagle eyes?.. Help???

[Ping]

sorry, I was not paying attn to your tank being a nano. You could pluck each stalk with tweezers. I have found the stuff that annoying.

To all:

Could he take the rock out, Kalk the area in question, then soak the rock for say an hour in a separate container of freshly changed water? Finally, Toothbrush off the remaining Kalk, then return the rock to the display and not worry about a large pH change?

[JimD]

That looks more like red turf algae, a very difficuly algae to control, thats the bad news, the good news is that its not impossible. Manual removal along with good water management and temporarily raising the Alk to round 11Dkh or so have proven successful for me. Usualy your best tool will be time.

[hobogato]

great lookin tank btw. have you thought of submitting for totm?

[bexarhunt]

OK...Here's another one assuming I am a HE bear hunter but actually I am a she bear hunter....LOL...anyhow, I would be willing to take my rocks to someone that knows what they are doing to take care of some micro surgery if needed. One rock has some apparently soloman blue zoas (not too soloman in my tank with my lights) and the other is the one with eagle eyes and tubeworm and GSP that I put together...If someone thinks they can cut this stuff out, I would be willing to let them try.....I will sign a release but will cry for a wk if my zoas don't make it!

[tony]

i have that same algae and it has all but taken over 1 of my rocks

[bexarhunt]

Thanks hobogato but with my experience and seeing the TOTMs out there I am just a little fish in the big ocean! I have no clue how a real tank works! All I have are nanos that you plug in!

[tony]

btw, it has been on my same rock in my same tank for going on 3 years now. it will not completely choke out your zoas. it will seriously hinder their growth though. i would get it out before it becomes a nuisance, like mine.

a tuxedo urchin will eat the shorter stuff too, mine just wont touch the longer stuff.

[apedroza]

You can use the paste used to kill mojanos and aptaisia ( joes juice,etc) Make sure your pumps are off so it doesn't blow it off and just cover the areas with the algae. I have used it before and it smothers it pretty well.

[Ping]

Asparagopsis Taxiformis

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/algaepage.htm

[tony]

peter, do you remember seeing mine? i dont think thats what mine is. mine is more purple and more of a coralline consistency where it is kind of brittle

her pics look similar to what mine is

[tony]

nevermind thats exactly what it is

here are better pics

http://www.aquatouch.com/algae.htm

http://www.reefforum.net/photopost/data/500/DSC06406.jpg

thanks for the info!!!

[Ping]

Raising and maintaining high Alk helps with many algae issues. Great tip Jim

[tony]

any tips on raising the alk?