Algae problem

[apedroza]

After coming back from vacation I noticed some bryopsis starting to grow while I was away. Anyone had any luck removing this stuff. There is no way I can pull the rocks out and scrape them. I have removed as much as possible manually and hope the snails and hermits will get the rest. Any help is appreciated.

[cpreefguy]

Take the briopsis rocks out and let them die
It's some nasty stuff and can take over in no time

[Darth-Tater]

Ask Cliff (Brewercm) He will tell you the same thing. Pull the rock now................................. :w00t

[apedroza]

It really isn't possible to take it out most of the rock is covered in sps acros. I would like to find a predator of this stuff first if anyone has any suggestions.

[cpreefguy]

A few animals are "supposed" to work
Sea Hare
Black long spine urchin

Fish wont eat it since it contains toxins that will effect them

[ou812pezz]

Sea hare works excellent. I put one on a rock I got from cliff in an islotaed tank and it mowed clean. I think it should be renamed a sea- cow. It seems the hermits maintain the algae after its short.

[Bill S]

You can try massive quantities of blue leg hermits.

[brewercm]

If you try the blue legs make sure you pull the briopsys out as much as possible since they will only eat at the root area.

[Ram_Puppy]

I remember reading somewhere on reefcentral about someone putting calc paste on it and treating it like aiptasia - if i recall correctly, it worked.

[TAXMAN]

Anyone have a Sea Hare? I have tons of hair algae in my 2 small tanks and would like to get rid of it before I put the rocks into my new setup.

[apedroza]

I got 1 sea hare and 4 lettuce nudibranchs to try and control this. The sea hare dissapeared and I haven't seen it since. The nudis I put directly on the spots with algae and they went to town. One even moved to another rock when it was done and started mowing down that rock. Just thought I 'd share this with anyone with an algae problem. Give these guys a chance.

[MKCindy]

He's there somewhere. My tanks only a 25 gallon deep and my Sea Hare disappears all the time. Something that large shouldn't be able to move that fast or blend in to the LR. He eats til he is exhausted and plops down to sleep where ever he drops.

I've had him about 3 weeks and he is a great addition to the tank. He looks like a bloob, but he eats around the most delicate corals and doesn't disturb a thing. Maybe he can teach my Blemmy some respect. ;)

[txstateunivreefer]

Maybe he can teach my Blemmy some respect.


if so send the blenny whisperer my way too my little piggie needs some manners

[reefingood]

...tagging along. :)

[erikharrison]

Pull the affected rocks out, burn the briopsys with a torch lighter (easy to direct the flame) and that should do it. It's fast, easy, and effective. I did it to a rock that was beginning to cover itself in aiptasia.... The pieces were in between some of my RPEs, and i didn't lose one.

[apedroza]

:o I think I'll stick with the nudi's

[loans_n_fishes]

Last time I was at Aquadome (in Austin), they had both seahares and lettuce nudis... it's been a couple of weeks though. Give them a call, they usually have some of these guys, and their prices on livestock can't be beat.

[TAXMAN]

My nudi's are eating the algae like mad right now. Hope they get it under control before they die off. Whats the life span for them anyway? I'll check the Dome for Seahares maybe tomorrow.

[apedroza]

They say that once the algae is gone they tend to die off. I would rather give them away for someone elses use then see them die off. Check them out going at it. That rock use to have a lot more on it!!!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o43/apedroza/Zoas/mini-LettuceNudis.jpg

[TAXMAN]

If thats the case they will live forever in my tanks. :)

[loans_n_fishes]

They would do just fine in mine, too! My Lawn Mower Blenny is so fat, I think he could bust! Yet, the nudis and seahare would probably thrive as well. <_<

Think I will head to the 'Dome later to pick up a couple.