Red spiky, hard algae on rock...what is it?!

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by cwinn, Aug 23, 2011.

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  1. cwinn

    cwinn Astrea Snail

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    I've got this hard dark red/purple spikes all over my rocks. I've searched around and can't find a specific answer. I saw info about red slime algae. Is this it? Its extremely hard to remove. I've tried to take the small rocks out and scrub them with a toothbrush, still won't come off.

    Has anyone else had this or know what it is? Any ideas how to get rid of it?

    Appreciate the time.

    Thanks!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    cwinn, Aug 23, 2011
    cwinn, Aug 23, 2011
    #1

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  2. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    are they hard?
     
    1.0reef, Aug 23, 2011
    1.0reef, Aug 23, 2011
    #2
  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Corailline, Aug 23, 2011
    Corailline, Aug 23, 2011
    #3
  4. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    That was my thought too, but I've never seen them that dense before either.
     
    SushiGirl, Aug 23, 2011
    SushiGirl, Aug 23, 2011
    #4
  5. heidimi

    heidimi Fire Shrimp

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    Is it turf like or hard like coralline? When you say spikes I was thinking about little spiky grass?? Let us know, might help. If its the red spiky grass stuff its really really hard to get rid of. For your sake I hope not...

    Heidi
     
    heidimi, Aug 23, 2011
    heidimi, Aug 23, 2011
    #5
  6. cwinn

    cwinn Astrea Snail

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    sorry, my description wasn't the best. its not necessarily really hard, just not soft like hair algae, cyano, etc. its not hard like coralline. i can pick off bits with my fingernails only. a toothbrush would barely get it off

    here's another picture. bits on the counter is what I could pull off

    [​IMG]
     
    cwinn, Aug 23, 2011
    cwinn, Aug 23, 2011
    #6

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  7. heidimi

    heidimi Fire Shrimp

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    I am not sure what its called but Tangs LOVE it. I wish there was a borrow a tang, or a send me your rock for my tangs to clean program :) My tangs would clean that up for you in a day.

    Heidi
     
    heidimi, Aug 23, 2011
    heidimi, Aug 23, 2011
    #7
  8. stylaster

    stylaster Gigas Clam

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    i got the same darn stuff. Tangs love to eat it, so do hermits and most snails. Its a type of turf algae i think. Luckily the corals will grow right over it and kill it too. Dont sweat it, just keep some herbivores in the tank and should not be a problem. (ends up being a good nutrient exporter) :)
     
    stylaster, Aug 23, 2011
    stylaster, Aug 23, 2011
    #8
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  9. dpruitt7450

    dpruitt7450 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Lol!
     
    dpruitt7450, Aug 23, 2011
    dpruitt7450, Aug 23, 2011
    #9
  10. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    Anotrichium.

    I believe that might be the species of algae you have in your tank Cwinn

    real pain to get rid of IME
    algae fix marine - hardly touches it IME
    Carbon dosing to ULNS does not starve it out IME
    Its not eaten by most snails, hermits etc IME (but I may have lazy snails)
    blue eyed Kole Tang, ignores it completely IME


    Sally lightfoot crabs will eat it in the absence of anything better IME
    long spine urchins will eat it according to barbianj ( 3 reef member who also has this problem, as I do)
    Zebra Turbo snails as suggested by Inwall75 are also known to eat this type of algae


    Steve
     
    steve wright, Aug 23, 2011
    steve wright, Aug 23, 2011
    #10
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