unknow algae to me

[JKLUSAF]

i've got this new algae growing like mad crazy. its so thick, its like moss. its a green hair like algae. I've pulled it off some many times i think my next option is to pull all rocks out and use a wire brush to get this stuff off and stop growing in my tank

[Kristy]

Ooh... I hope it's not briopsis. Do a search on it and see what fun might await you if this is your culprit.

If it is briopsis, you have to treat it early and aggressively, before it starts to take over your tank, which sounds like it could already be too late from your post above. Read bstreep's threads to truly appreciate the potential for problems.

[johnmaloney @ Reef Cleaners]

a turf algae like derebesia?

[recoiljpr]

I know everyone LOVES to give their 2 cents in (so I will join)!!! While I am still a newbie I had a hair like algae on 2/3 of my rocks. I would pick it, no good. I tried to let it grow out, and it just kept spreading. After researching, I purchased 2 emerald crabs and put them in the tank. A few days later, I only have 1 rock remaining with the algae. I know you get mixed results, but the 2 I have are algae busters. Now, I just have to get some nori to keep feeding the little buggers before they decide to chomp on coral.

I've also read raising your magnesium to 1600 ppm and keeping it there has shown some success. http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=1012

But, pictures do help to ID the culprits.

[Gseclipse02]

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49716

that should help ... im doing that group order for reefcleaners if you need to order some stuff just post in the group order section

[JKLUSAF]

bryopsis is what i have in my small tank.....how do i get rid of this. I've read that i need to pull all the live rock out and put into a QT tank with no light. should i take somesort of wire brush to remove it or what

thanks for thread Gseclipse02 that help me identify it

[JKLUSAF]

what is the best way to get ride of this algae without hurting the tank.

[Bill S]

Do a search on my "progress" with it with my 215...

You need to remove the rock with it on it. Permanently.

I bleached mine, and left it in fresh water for 3 months. Was still green...

I did manage to get rid of it this way, by the way. After spending literally thousands of dollars on other things, I just threw in the towel and broke the tank down.

[BIGBIRD123]

Bill,
I believe your decision was the right one. Once Bryopsis gets a hold, it is almost a loosing battle. I actually think there are a couple of strains of it. Some have somewhat good luck ridding their tank of it but most fight a slow loosing battle. It is just up to the individual which battle to fight...

[Bill S]

There are many different species of bryopsis. The one that's been running around MAAST seems not to respond to normal solutions. You name it, I tried them all.

Steve, I don't know if you remember or not. You were looking at my tank one day, and there was about a 2" circle of "hair algae" on top of my big flat rock. You said: "you need to get rid of that hair algae". I wish I'd torn that 2 foot diameter rock out that day!

[BIGBIRD123]

There are many different species of bryopsis. The one that's been running around MAAST seems not to respond to normal solutions. You name it, I tried them all.

Steve, I don't know if you remember or not. You were looking at my tank one day, and there was about a 2" circle of "hair algae" on top of my big flat rock. You said: "you need to get rid of that hair algae". I wish I'd torn that 2 foot diameter rock out that day!

Yeah Bill, I remember. If I see anything at all, the rock comes out and gets named Bill's rock...lol

[JKLUSAF]

ok, well this will be ok. my 150 is fully cycled now, so i can move things into the new tank. Bill you said to bleach the rock that has the bryopsis on it, then you placed it into freshwater? Will you be able to every put the rock back into your tank?

[Bill S]

I bleached them for about a week, then soaked them in fresh water for about 2 months. Mostly, I wanted to make sure that I'd gotten all of the bryopsis out of the tank before I put the rock back. I'd say a few days in some water plus bleach, and then a couple of weeks in fresh water, changing water daily.

[JKLUSAF]

OK i just got done moving live rock that didn't have any bryopsis on it into my 150 and transferred live stock over as well. my 65 is almost all tore down. hopefully all the bryopsis was not transferred. i'll get started with the live rock this weekend.

all the bryopsis that was on the sand came off like a big carpet....crazy

[CoryDude]

Pull the affected rocks, find a suitable location at least half a mile away from your house, dig a 6 foot hole, bury them, set it on fire, put a 2 ton boulder on top of it, and pray!

Personally, I wouldn't even return the bleached rock back my tank. Better to loose a small piece than the whole tank.

[JKLUSAF]

[QUOTE=CoryDude;682821]Pull the affected rocks, find a suitable location at least half a mile away from your house, dig a 6 foot hole, bury them, set it on fire, put a 2 ton boulder on top of it, and pray!


good stuff, well theres about 25lbs of live rock that was effected not to mention some coral. some of these pieces i really like......sorry i'll try to get them cleaned up the best i can. i may make my 65gal tank a lion fish tank.....its just an idea

[Bill S]

Justin -

YOu can't get them cleaned up "as best you can". You have to kill them. Kill them NOW!

[JKLUSAF]

how did you get the sand cleaned from it? because thats where the most of mine laid or rooted itself in.

[Bill S]

I removed the sand. That process is what killed off most of my SPS. Then, the lights were off for about a week.

[JKLUSAF]

Thanks Bill, i'll be finishing this proces over the weekend.

[CoryDude]

Justin, Bill's right. This stuff is a hobby killer, if not treated rapidly and agressively. I've been fighting a losing battle for almost a year near on my wife's 60 cube tank. I scrubbed mulitple times a week for over 7 months with no luck and no decrease in bryopsis.

Personally, I've had some success with elevated Mg levels, but I'm still contemplating tearing the whole thing down and starting over.

[Bill S]

Cory, before you tear it up...

The ONE THING I didn't try, that I'm kicking myself for...

I still had (have) a Hiatt single torpedo. I put it on my tank after tearing it down - and I really think it might be responsible for it not coming back. There's just no way I could have gotten it ALL when I tore the tank down. And there's not a spec in it now.

I sold 2 of the torpedos - maybe Jose? If there's one floating around, you might try it.

[CoryDude]

Thanks Bill. Don't know too much about them, but I'm googling it right now.

[Bill S]

Might also pm Richard (former CB Pets owner) - he may either have one, or know where one is.