OK, what is it? algea? cynao? diatoms?

[Astreak]

I've had a 55 gal FOWLER for nearly 4 years now. Lurk often on this board, post little as a novice. Gone through some rough spots, but I haven't had a fish loss in over 2 years.

I have what I assume is algea on my rocks and sandbed for.........ever now. It is red and fuzzy. On the rocks, it almost looks "plush" or velvety. It doesn't "peel" like cyno. BTDT before. I have scrubbed my rocks to promote more coralline, but it doesn't come off easily. On the sand it bugs the crap out of me, doesn't look so velvety. (I have good coralline growth as well.)

Here's my specs:

o ammonia
0 nitrite
15 total nitrates
1.024 salinity
78 temp
8.4 daytime ph
500 cal
11 dkh
.02 phosphates

RO water source, that tests 0 for nitrates and phosphates. I have only 45 Watts of normal output flourescents that are on for 7 hours normally, accompanied by 30 watt actinics on for 12 hours. My skimmer is a hang-0n Aqua C Remora Pro. Fish: 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Coral Beauty Angel, 1 Bangaii Cardinal, 1 Clark's Clown, 1 blenny Did I leave anything out?

Oh and 120 lbs. Caribbsand bed and 80 lbs. live rock with some tube/spaghetti worms, copepods, etc and 1 brittle star.

Granted not stellar reef quality but fine stats for FOWLER or so I thought? Any suggestions to rid it of the red plague?

 

[dvb]

I have that stuff in my sand bed. I got a couple of queen conch snails which took care of the problem quickly. They get pretty big so you will have to have someone to give them to when they get too large for your tank.

They don't seem to go up onto my rock though. Can't help you there.

 

[Reefatarian]

I just posted about this and then read this. The same as you my water perams are great and on target but i can not get rid of it.

 

[Anonymous]

One fighting conch takes care of my 55 gallon reef. they do not grow as large as the queen conchs.

 

[Anonymous]

Genearlly it is a sign of not having enough water circulation and/or oxygenation. Stick in a couple more powerheads and clean your skimmer or replace it with a better one. A last resort is erythromycin, and that will kill it pretty quickly. But it is better to address the cause than to treat the symptoms.

 

[Reefatarian]

Ok, added another power head last night lower in the tank among the rock work and awoke to find that the substrate was looking better.

I have looked all over for a fighting conch but cant find a dealer that sells this niffty critter, any ideas on where to purchase this animal?