Removing GHA from zoa frag plugs

Hallowhead · Nov 25, 2019

Howdy,

I am trying to figure out a way to best remove GHA from frag plugs. I try to scrub with a toothbrush but have to go super gently and don't remove much.

Can I do a 60/40 Hydrogen Peroxide dip to kill algae?

Mrx7899x · Nov 25, 2019

Hydrogen peroxide will work.

Hallowhead · Nov 25, 2019

Mrx7899x said:
Hydrogen peroxide will work.

What mix?

diana a · Nov 25, 2019

Are you sure it’s GHA? I have a frag that I bought from a member. Had it for 6 months and kept cleaning it with tweezers and tried peroxide. It kept coming back. I left it alone for two weeks and the algae got longer and then I found out that it wasn’t GHA but bryopsis. Used fluconazole, it was gone in two days and hasn’t returned

diana a · Nov 25, 2019

If you try the peroxide, it’s two part saltwater to one part peroxide. Dip for 2-3 minutes

MadReefer · Nov 25, 2019

I did straight 3% peroxide in the GHA. Don't get get in the coral.
It will fizz then lightly brush and rinse.

Hallowhead · Nov 25, 2019

diana a said:
If you try the peroxide, it’s two part saltwater to one part peroxide. Dip for 2-3 minutes

I'm gonna use this as I've used 3% hydrogen for 5 mins before and killed a zoa

You fully submerge right ?

It's not bryopsis I've battled that before and it's just simple gha

MadReefer · Nov 25, 2019

Do not submerge the coral, just the algae.

Hallowhead · Nov 25, 2019

On the zoa plugs I couldn't not cover the algae without covering the polyps

MadReefer · Nov 25, 2019

Tough call. Can you scrape It off with a something?

Hallowhead · Nov 25, 2019

MadReefer said:
Tough call. Can you scrape It off with a something?

I've tried carefully and brushing with a tooth brush only gets so much

Sponge · Nov 25, 2019

I have found peroxide to be very effective at extremely low doses it will kill the algae with daily dips. Just takes a week. I have done as little as a few drops of 3% in a gallon of tank water for five minutes. You will see no change for a day or two. But the algae will Die. And the zoa will be fine. Less takes longer but will work. And puts way less stress on the coral. It may show normal signs of being not happy but should be fine. You can even skip days if you feel the coral can’t take it. (But it can). Will take longer but it’s no race.

MadReefer · Nov 25, 2019

Who says it's not a

DangerDave · Nov 25, 2019

All you have to do is brush the plug with a toothbrush and h202. It will die.

Sponge · Nov 25, 2019

DangerDave said:
All you have to do is brush the plug with a toothbrush and h202. It will die.

Agreed. If you can brush the plug and not the coral. Best solution easy and quick

DangerDave · Nov 26, 2019

I use h202 a lot in my reef. I dose constantly with an oxydator (W size). I also apply directly to any algae that grows. Once I get a spot that gets a little growth, the cuc doesn’t touch it. I turn off the circulation pump, and use a pipette to apply direct. Wait a few minutes, and turn the pumps back on. Algae dies and turns white, and the hermits get at it right away.