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View Full Version : Help with Lobophora - Brown Algae


JULZ
Sat, 21st Jan 2006, 09:16 PM
I finally figured out what the ugly brown plant is that's been taking over some of my rocks is, it's " Lobophora sp" or "brown algae". From what I've read this stuff is almost impossible to get rid of and the only thing that will eat it (eat allot of it) is a longspine urchin but from what I understand they will completely clean the rock. I've scrubbed the rock and tried to remove it but to get it all was impossible and it all came back. Tonight I finally decided just to take out the two rocks that had it before matters got worse. Then I realized it's now four rocks and a couple are large in size. Should I go ahead and remove all the rock with the brown algae or does anyone know of another solution. I just feel as though I will be killing off so much life if I take the infested rocks out to dry but I can't afford for this stuff to completely take over. Help!
hammondegge
Sat, 21st Jan 2006, 09:22 PM
this?
JULZ
Sat, 21st Jan 2006, 09:38 PM
Yep that's the stuff!
hammondegge
Sat, 21st Jan 2006, 09:49 PM
looks like work. i dont have any experience with it but i would guess that you might have to physically remove it and scrub the rock. you might not have to kill the rock if you can scrub it off. maybe even a propane torch?
gcantu
Sat, 21st Jan 2006, 09:56 PM
I know you may not want to do this but it worked for me when I had some. I took the rock that had it and boiled it for 10 minutes in a large pot on the stove. The rock recovered just fine and is currently in my tank encrusted with coralline algae. The algae......all gone! It worked for me...can't say that it will work for you, but anything is possible.
JULZ
Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 08:47 AM
Think I'll give that a try. Thanks for the input.
GaryP
Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 09:14 AM
WAIT!

You're doing more damage to the tank then the algae is causing. This algae is actually a good one. It helps water quality. Just keep it in control by pruning it by hand. Just make sure it doesn't shade any corals.

The other thing that is supposed to eat it, besides an urchin, is a naso tang. How big is your tank? Is it big enough for a Naso? If not you may be able to get a small one and then trade it later when it grows.
beareef19
Sun, 22nd Jan 2006, 09:52 AM
WAIT!

You're doing more damage to the tank then the algae is causing. This algae is actually a good one. It helps water quality. Just keep it in control by pruning it by hand. Just make sure it doesn't shade any corals.
I agree with Gary,If you let it grow and just prune it every once and awhile to keep it in check.It peels off easily when it has grown out abit . You might even like the grow patterns it can make. Barry
JULZ
Tue, 24th Jan 2006, 01:31 PM
I have a 125 gal tank. Can my tank handle a Naso?
GaryP
Tue, 24th Jan 2006, 02:17 PM
Yes, but it may eventually outgrow it. That may be years from now though. Mine did very well in a 125 for several years until I lost him when I moved the tank. I would look for a small to medium sized one. They recommend a 125 as the minimum size for one. Do you have other tangs in there now? If you can get one, the males are absolutely gorgeous.
JULZ
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 02:01 PM
I have one yellow tang
GaryP
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 02:05 PM
It should do OK with a Naso tang. Yellows usually only have a problem with other members of its same genus, such as sailfins and purples. Nasos (lipstick tang) are more closely related to Hippo tangs.
TheCampbells
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 03:07 PM
My longspined urchin also ate my xenia.....
GaryP
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 04:49 PM
My longspined urchin also ate my xenia.....

Can I borrow it? :)
TheCampbells
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 05:27 PM
I wish I could .... but my wife loves that thing.... she'd kill me....

I don't know why, but I had 5 seperate colonies of xenia, and he ate two of them, and doesn't even come near the other three.....lol
GaryP
Wed, 25th Jan 2006, 06:08 PM
Come see me the next time you come to SA, I'll give you all the Xenia you want.
JULZ
Sun, 12th Feb 2006, 01:03 PM
FYI and from my experience-If you have this problem and your tank is large enough, from what I've read 120 gal or more, purchase a Naso Tang to get it under control. Before I purchased the Naso I killed 2 rocks that were covered and cleaned up what was left only leaving a small patch and then introduced the Naso. she cleaned up what was left in about one week and then had none left to munch on. Luckily she's a juvenile and has just starting eating the nori so I think she will be OK. Wish I would have purchased the Naso before attacking the algae and rock myself.