Red turf!!!

[steelcaveman]

See pic - very short red algae. Does not pull off by hand. It grows over and kills coraline algae. This stuff grows really fast.
Ran several searches on this on other boards without much luck.
*
My tank has ideal conditions for this algae - 0 phosphates and 0 nitrates - with Salifert test kits and high flow. This algae was under control till the death of my Powder Brown Tang. Which I just discovered eats this nasty algae. I have at least five different types of snails and many blue legged hermits - none of them will eat this stuff. My tank is not currently in a state where it is safe to ad a new powder brown - I recently added a naso tang and there is some fishy conflict & ich.
*

Anyone successfully eradicate this algae?
If so, what is the secret?

I suspect that changing the lighting spectrum may kill this algae.
Some posts have eluded that one day it all just magically disappeared.
Another theory is that there may trace nitrite that causes this algae to take over. Not sure I buy that theory though.
Reefcentral has a post on this algae - no solution.
FYI- cooking LR does not work.
It is usually introduced to tanks on coral frags.

I am learning more about algae than I every cared to know. :?

 

[blakemeadows]

I can't remember where I read it but I think sally light-foot's like the stuff.

You might want to look into that.

 

[Ashlar]

Maybe try a Sally Lightfoot, emerald crab, and / or diadema urchin.

 

[steelcaveman]

Thanks - I will try a few Sally Lightfoots.
Emeralds do pick at the stuff - but don't make a dent.
*
I changed a few of my T5 bulbs to change the spectrum.
prior T5 setup on 140g.
front - ATI Blue Plus, UV Super atinic, ATI Blue Plus, UV Aqua Sun, ATI Blue Special, ATI Blue Plus.

New - ATI Blue Plus, UV Super Atinic, GLO 18k, GLO 6500k, UV Aqua Sun, UV Super Atinic.

I will post results in few weeks.
Then I will add a Acanthurus tang.