Progress on Red Turf Algae

[Ted]

could always try online for corals...just get fish from them...

 

[NanoReefer]

i would ratehr have a FOWLR than a red turf occupied reef. i hate that shit, took over my 37 gallon, my only reason to start a new tank

 

[brandon429]

yes it got my first reef too. too bad we didn't know about peroxide back then, its a literal cure for all red algae variants even invasive macro algae. It is not possible to have red brush algae problems any longer now that we know the cure, its too simple to beat, its not even a thought any longer. we cured about 500 tanks so far of various ruffians in this big rc thread about it
pico reef pest algae problem challenge - Reef Central Online Community

 

[sen5241b]

I do not believe a tank can be "cured" of RTA --BUT with peroxide, emeralds, large turbos and "stop aptasia" you can control it to the point that it is not really a problem.

It appeared that every trace was eradicated from my tank but it very slowly came back especially after my 3 emeralds died off. (I noticed the 3rd one dead this morning.)

 

[BowFront]

I agree, and if kept in check it really doesn't look too bad in just a few spots. I really like watching the emeralds pick at it... and my blenny chomping on it.

 

[sen5241b]

I agree, and if kept in check it really doesn't look too bad in just a few spots. I really like watching the emeralds pick at it... and my blenny chomping on it.

True. Small amounts of it are not unattractive.

 

[brandon429]

I never knew stop aiptasia worked for it that's neat.

Since this species of algae is an obligate hitchhiker, once you kill the entire mass out of the rockwork it can't come back. But i agree its got nasty holdfasts and will regrow until all mass
can be eradicated

I got it all out of my tank over a year ago but the difference is my tiny pico reef is easy to cover all areas on a drain and treat and these larger tanks have much more ground to cover.

 

[sen5241b]

If you cannot lower the water level enough to bring the RTA out of the water so you can spray it with peroxide then try this:

1. turn off flow
2. put "stop aptasia" --saturate it
3. wait five minutes
4. try to suck most of it out using a pump with tube or with a baster
5. turn flow back on
6. RTA will turn bright red almost immediately and then a few days later it will turn white.
7. Then it will be eaten or rot away.

 

[brandon429]

Before and after pics
External spot treatment with peroxide
From poster Patrick Cox from rc

 

[brandon429]

First ever picture of 600x magnification of green turf algae treated with peroxide

Proof it kills reproductive units too
The sporangia featured here on the before pics are now toasted and bleached and lysed
GHA Problems - Bkdwebb's Photos