Removing algea from hard coral

[texasstone5]

I have a 4 year old piece of hard coral (unknown species collected from the gulf of mexico) that has tufts of hair algea persistently growing on the branch tips. I have been brushing it down with a toothbrush, but I can't get all of the algea off. Any suggestions?

 

[watson3]

Is the coral itself dead..Like the ones you buy for deco? iF so, soaking it in vinegar water will clear it all off, then a few rinses and you are good to go

 

[barchtruong]

get some Emerald crabs.
problem will soon be gone.
Emerald crabs can do so serious damage to green and brown hair algae,

 

[stingrayman]

yes, emerald crabs. you`ll be good to go.

 

[texasstone5]

Thanks for the idea, and yes, it is live coral.

 

[neverenough]

I have always used a toothbrush (softly in clean saltwater). Whatever you don't get off atleast it will make managable enough for the crabs and fish to nibble at.

 

[mbm28]

I would use a phosphate remover like phosban or rowaphos in a forced-flow filter (like a two little fishes reactor). It will be gone in a day or two and you don't have to damage the coral with a toothbrush or introduce crabs that are unpredictable at best.

 

[cowfishrule]

try a mexican turbo snail.

 

[neverenough]

I received some hard corals from a local reefer and he had a hair algae problem. My phosban reactor did not touch it. I used the toothbrush and tweezers gently and did not hurt/ break any of the corals.

 

[barchtruong]

Originally Posted by Neverenough
I received some hard corals from a local reefer and he had a hair algae problem. My phosban reactor did not touch it. I used the toothbrush and tweezers gently and did not hurt/ break any of the corals.
why do it the hard way?
let nature takes care of itself with just a lil of human help.
put 2 Emerald crabs and some blue leg hermits and a LMB.
with those helpers, your tank will have a hard time growing hair algae.

 

[zman1]

SPS?
If it is, I will guess it's not super healthy. Otherwise, there would be tissue growing and not Hair Algae on the skeleton. Unless you feel it's in poor shape, why not frag/cut the tips with algae off? Tissue will have a better chance growing back over the fresh cut. IMO