Do they know what they're doing?

[CoryDude]

Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe when they see someone selling frags online and you can clearly see patches of bryopsis in the attached pics?

One guy on RC even went as far as to claim that his tanks were clean of unwanted pests/algae in his signature, and you could see b. plumosa in almost every pic of the different frags he was selling.

And the sad thing is, people were buying these things up.

[Salty]

Its definately a turn off!!

But by the same token, I've seen, and purchased, more than one frag from local shops with this wonderful hitchhiker. Just got to be aware of it and keep a mag supplement handy for emergencies.

Ohh, and don't forget that bubble algae!!! Gotta love it

[Europhyllia]

Honestly I used to freak out about it and the longer I've been doing it (over a decade now -whew!) the more I consider stuff like that a maintenance issue and less of a freak-out-worthy thing.
Like salty says sooner or later some may crop up. No biggie with some M-Tech. I'd much rather get some hair algae or bryopsis. It's the caulerpa I hate with a passion...

[Gseclipse02]

i hate when that happens i will never buy coral/ frags with bad algae ...

one time i got some coral with cyano and didn't think much of it well i have been fighting it ever since never had before that... almost made me want to get rid of my tank ....

[saabtech]

just noticed some bryopsis coming out of a frag i just picked up. what is this "m-tech" you speak of?

[corruption]

its a liquid magnesium supplement from Kent Marine -- people have found running an accelertated quantity of magnesium for a time works well to rid bryopsis/derbasia (more so bryopsis)... I believe 1500/1600 ppm is the range people aim for.

-Justin

[Europhyllia]

one time i got some coral with cyano and didn't think much of it well i have been fighting it ever since never had before that... almost made me want to get rid of my tank ....

A few years back I threw out all of the liverock in my 29g and got new liverock because I was convinced my old liverock was infected with this stuff.
Now I believe the bacteria is almost unavoidable. What makes the difference is maintenance, nutrient input, lighting, etc.

[saabtech]

well instead of fighting it i just refraged 3 pieces of sps that came on rock and is now on plugs and know good rock.

[cbianco]

well instead of fighting it i just refraged 3 pieces of sps that came on rock and is now on plugs and know good rock.

I agree! I always take the frag off the rock/plug, scrape it clean and reglue it to something more trustworthy and free of hitchhikers.

Although not a perfect plan, it helps out quite a bit.

Christopher :)

[corruption]

A few years back I threw out all of the liverock in my 29g and got new liverock because I was convinced my old liverock was infected with this stuff.
Now I believe the bacteria is almost unavoidable. What makes the difference is maintenance, nutrient input, lighting, etc.

Absolutely right, Karin -- the bacteria is literally found everywhere in nature -- if theres water and nutrient-available conditions, cyano is always not far behind.

-Justin

[Salty]

I'm curious as to whether anyone has tested at the start of a bryopsis or cyano outbreak what their nitrates and phosphates were? I haven't had any cyano or bryopsis emerge in my tank and have confirmed nitrates at over 20 before. A friend has had some ridiculous outbreaks and he runs in excess of 100. Anyone have an idea of where the "danger zone" may start for an outbreak?

[Gseclipse02]

I'm curious as to whether anyone has tested at the start of a bryopsis or cyano outbreak what their nitrates and phosphates were? I haven't had any cyano or bryopsis emerge in my tank and have confirmed nitrates at over 20 before. A friend has had some ridiculous outbreaks and he runs in excess of 100. Anyone have an idea of where the "danger zone" may start for an outbreak?


one day i will test my water for everything .... but till than who knows what my levels are

[corruption]

Salty: hard to quantify down to a simple number like that -- there are many factors at play that lead to it... its not JUST nutrient availability -- its a combination of factors, as Karin stated. Light quantity/quality, nutrient richness, flow rates, and a number of other factors can help encourage the growth. I don't know that anyone can say specifically "at this point, nuisance growth starts".... do remember, your readings are always free levels of nitrogenous wastes -- if the algae is growing, there is an immeasurable amount being consumed -- could be high or low depending on growth.

-Justin

[Salty]

makes sense, I'm just hoping my good luck holds. My newfound belief in water changes might help a little more though.

Back to bryopsis, I just ordered an Elos Mag test kit along with a Kh, should be here Friday and I'm anxious to see how it performs.

[corruption]

The Elos kits are nice -- I'd put them in a class with Salifert on quality. I've got the Phosphate test kit, and my brother has a gamut of them.

-Justin

[Bill S]

Having torn a tank down after spending thousands on bryopsis... That started with one single small tuft.

The stuff I had did not respond to Tech M. There are 20-25 different species of bryopsis.

[CoryDude]

I've been around the block in this hobby for many years, so I expect that my tank will have some type of algae, whether it be an actual plant algae or bacteria like cyano. That's not my issue with these sellers.

My problem is that many of these sellers know they have byropsis, and have no problem selling to someone who doesn't know any better. Then we see someone posting on here about some unknown algae that just cropped up in their tank. They take a picture, and we break the news to them that it's the dreaded cancer of all algae. As many here can attest, magnesium will not always get rid of all types of bryopsis.

I'll admit that some fault lies on the buyer for not qt'ing their frag, or cleaning it off and reattaching to another clean base.

I guess that's what dismays me about the hobby now. People are more interested in making $$$ than being honest hobbyists with each other. I've battled this stuff on and off in my wife's tank for over a year and wouldn't wish it on anyone. But, I guess Kent is enjoying the extra sales in Tech-M. I know I've gone through gallons of the stuff in the last year.

[ShAgMaN]

Man, what a nightmare...My 8 gal. was infected and its the worst thing I've came across since entering the hobby (5 years or so). However tech M seems to be working after gutting my little cube.


Having torn a tank down after spending thousands on bryopsis... That started with one single small tuft.

The stuff I had did not respond to Tech M. There are 20-25 different species of bryopsis.

[corruption]

Very good points, Bill and Cory -- the diversity just proves what is both frustrating and fascinating about the ocean -- we really know very little. :)

-Justin

[Salty]

I'll admit that some fault lies on the buyer for not qt'ing their frag, or cleaning it off and reattaching to another clean base.

This is what it really comes down to, we get to excited to place the piece and forget the proper proceedures. Most of the time it works out fine until one day, we get burned.


I guess that's what dismays me about the hobby now. People are more interested in making $$$ than being honest hobbyists with each other. I've battled this stuff on and off in my wife's tank for over a year and wouldn't wish it on anyone. But, I guess Kent is enjoying the extra sales in Tech-M. I know I've gone through gallons of the stuff in the last year.

Good point on the ethics, but again, it highlights OUR irresponsibility as reefers, not all, but enough to drive the trade of dirty frags. As long as people consume the product, the situation won't improve and likely will get worse as more people enter the business.

Sadly, I can count myself as a member of the guilty group, I entered the hobby and have played fast and loose with my tank. The only reason it is doing so well is thanks to the help of a few people that have given me a helping hand, you know who you are. Ohh, and Visa as well :bigsmile: