Zwickm Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hi - I'm looking for recommendations on how to rid my tank of Dictyota algae which has been growing over my rocks. It must have been hitchhiking on a new coral and i missed it. It crawls across the works and encrusts it so very hard to get off. I have tried to pick it off but even the smallest piece will regrow. My tank has fish, shrimp, snails, hermit crabs, SPS, LPS and soft corals. Any advice from someone who has dealt with it would be greatly appreciated. Below if a picture. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Another member has a similar situation. Rabbitfish, tangs, and urchins will eat it. Here is a link that should be helpful. http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I have had it before and know what a nuisance it can be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 This is what I just went through: http://www.pnwmas.org/topic/33380-macro-algae-id/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Thanks for the links. Yea, this stuff is a nightmare to get rid of. I think I might pull the rock it's on and try to scrub/pick it off. I heard a ton of people mention API Algaefix as a possible solution? I do not plan to add any of the few fish that may eat it but a pincushion urchin might be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I don't think an algecide is a good idea to use in a reef tank. Way too many beneficial algae may be killed off, namely zooxanthellae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Take the time to deal with it with proper nutrient control and export and utilizing herbivores in your tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Remember in this hobby: "Nothing good happens fast". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Long discussion on it here. Various mixed results. If you are going to try API AlgaeFix Marine, I would read all this first, and use extreme caution. http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/the-official-api-algaefix-thread-for-trt-211544-8.html Note: This is not a recommendation to use this product. Edited February 11, 2015 by JManrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwickm Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Much agreed on the quote "nothing good happens fast" in this hobby! I have never added chemicals in my tanks and am hoping not to have to with this. Thought I would ask since I read a lot of mixed results using Algeafix. I'm thinking I'll pull the rock to clean off as much as possible, get a pincushion urchin and continue to run Rowaphos/carbon in my reactor. The weird thing is that most of this algae in my tank is growing along the rocks like veins more so than out from the rock. I hope this means it's not thriving and will be easier to get under control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Sounds good. A small amount of Dictyota in your tank should not be a problem, as long as it is under control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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