Red Turf Wire Hair Algea

[cali_reef]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=334

Yes, Tomini is a bristle tooth tang..

 

[reefman]

thanks, i'll have to tell him that his lips and teeth are designed to pull algae out with the roots and thats what they eat on the reef :smile:

 

[bergerd]

And Reefman, don't forget to buy a yellow tang. It looks like that is the concensus!

 

[reefman]

the concensus seem like "big mexican turbo snails"

 

[pecan2phat]

Although I would like to say that I had the same problem after going through my 4th or 5th bucket of Oceanic salt (that's why I switched to Seachem), I somewhat kind of know it is highly unlikely that a chemical salt would promote a species of turf algae growth.
Although many users of Oceanic has reported this problem on Rc, I tend to think it is more of a spread issue from tank to tank originating from aqua-cultured frags and colonies from Bali.
When my reef tank was overwhelmed with this red turf, I only found that "True" Mexican Turbos did the trick and you needed quite a few of these guys.

 

[reefman]

what is considered ("True" Mexican Turbos)? r there fake ones? like ones that steals the real mexicans' shell n putting it on themselves? :biglaugh:
how can we id the real ones?

 

[pnoyreefer]

Hey Reef My tank now 60% of my LR is covered with this algae. I think I got that from an aquacultured frags that I bought 8 months ago. Then it goes to the rocks then it spreads out from time to time. I am with Vic I kinda like it cuz my tank looks really good with the red color on it ... I have a Tomini, Foxface, Blue Hippo and Powder brown tang and they seem to trim it from time to time. It does not harm any of my corals at all. My parameters are in check. I will try some mexican turbo's as well.

 

[reefman]

yes, i find many others on 1st hand experiences with this same finding. i am speculating there may even be something leaching by these aquacultured frags mounts that feeds this algea.
regardless, it's very hard to rid of this algea completely once it has rooted itself(besides getting rid of the rock or plug). while it doesnt seem to affect much on the growth of corals(as long as it's trimmed), i find it look like weeds all over my garden.