Invasion of Bryopsis

[Regric25]

This stuff is getting thicker and thicker. Its just a little bit on this one little rock but it seems to be choking out my acans. How can I get rid of this stuff? What the heck is it? It looks like Caulerpa... Does something eat it? Let me know asap :) Thanks!!!:bigsmile:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n269/REGRIC252006/algae.jpg

[CoryDude]

Hate to say it but that looks like bryopsis. You're going to be in for a fight.

[Europhyllia]

how enlarged is this pic?
If it's bigger I'd say might be feather caulerpa but if it's fairly thin and you can just see it really well because of your picture taking skills it could be bryopsis

[Teeb]

Bad news.....


http://reef.pantshead.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/4bryopsis-vi.jpg

[Regric25]

Assuming it is Bryopsis, (and it probably is) what can I do to get rid of this stuff?

[Europhyllia]

could be very easy if it responds to this:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Bryopsis,-the-Worst-Aquarium-Algae&id=4531129
or could be next to impossible if you got the kind bstreep had.

I have had bryopsis before and the Kent Tech-M took care of it right away. Worth trying for sure!

[hobogato]

yep, it is bryopsis. we had it in zach's tank, and i was able to get rid of it by carefully pulling it as close to the rock as possible.

[Europhyllia]

another thing is that bryopsis sometimes crops up in newer tanks and then disappears as the tank ages (being replaced by other algae)

[Regric25]

Kent Tech-M it is! I went and took another close look at my tank and I see small sprigs of it growing in other places.

[Bill S]

The good news is that it isn't the kind I had (there are a couple of dozen species of Bryopsis). The bad news is that it looks like Bryopsis.

[Mr Cob]

Personally if it was me and it was only contained on one small rock...the rock would be removed from the system and I would setup a small 10gal quarantine or something until it is gone...just to be safe and to prevent it from spreading any further.

Or...discard the small rock entirely...what's one coral when you stand the chance of being taken over by one small section of algae?

[Double-O-Zilch]

Great. I've watched this stuff go from my 14 to my 29. I've been pulling it off the rocks for months and the only thing that helps is other algae taking over. I was nursing a brain from my mom's tank, before the poisoning, and this stuff has all but killed it. I'll be interested to see if you can bet it. Good luck.

[CoryDude]

Definitely don't take the infected rocks and use a brush to clean it off. It'll spread even faster. Like Ace said, try and pull it from the base. I was going to suggest Rob's approach and pull the infected rock(s), but since you're seeing it sprout up in multiple places, it's too late for that.

My treatment on a 60 gallon took 3 months and the actual bryopsis disappeared after about two weeks. Just make sure to keep your levels up, even after the stuff disappears. The 60 gallon took about 4 gallons of kent tech m, and my 90 gallon took about 5 gallons to reach the desired levels.

[Europhyllia]

The 60 gallon took about 4 gallons of kent tech m, and my 90 gallon took about 5 gallons to reach the desired levels.
wow that's a lot!
I bought 2 gallons for my 125 and ended up using only one.

[CoryDude]

How many ppm did you shot for Karin? I went a little overboard and went for 2000-2200ppm. I'd never dosed mg before, so I'm betting my levels started out pretty low to begin with. Plus, I was doing large weekly water changes to keep the nutrients down on both tanks.

[Europhyllia]

My goal was 1650 - and it was enough to take care of the problem. I think I started at around 1150

[justahobby]

I was googling byopsis and magnesium, found this thread pretty informative:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28278

[CoryDude]

Good link Justin. That's the thread that made me switch to Kent. I was originally using ESV when I started and wasn't having any luck.

[phippsj]

I did not use Tech-M, but I did raise my magnesium level and it worked great for me as well.

[Regric25]

So I was reading another thread where they used algaecide to kill algae and ended up possibly killing the macro and caulerpa also... If this is possible I have 2 questions. Is it dangerous to use algaecide with coals? Im pretty sure it is but I am not sure. Plus if it killed the macro algae and the caulerpa could it possibly kill the Bryopsis? If this is feasable and not dangerous to corals I then I can put the 3 rocks that have the algae on it in quarantine and treat with algaecide so that my macro is not affected... Just a thought....

[Double-O-Zilch]

I started using the Tech M today and just noticed the snails and stomatellas are out in droves. Tons of tiny ones. Any theories on this?

[BIGBIRD123]

with the change in water chemistry, they make think it's food...

[Regric25]

Alright I think I have some awesome news! I was doing some research on Bryopsis eaters and came across this thread on another website where they put Mollys in their tank and they mowed down the Bryopsis. I figured what the heck ill give it a try. I purchased 2 for around $2 a piece. I had 2 patches on my overflow that was growing and now 3 days later they are 1/4 the size they were before the Mollys were added. They may not be the prettiest little fish in my tank but they get the job done. I know this does not solve the problem but it keeps it in check.

[Europhyllia]

I always thought Mollys were super cute anyway! :)

[Regric25]

Its official and true Mollies DO eat Bryopsis!! Both patches on my overflow are completley gone! This is awesome!

[BIGBIRD123]

You can always catch them and loan them out...like the sea hare...

[Regric25]

Yea that is what im going to do. They are easy to catch because at night they sleep near the surface of the water.

[BIGBIRD123]

I have some stuff on one rock, that I keep trimmed back as much as possible but can't get rid of it. I do not know if it is Bryopsis because I don't let it get long enough to tell but would love to give them a shot...LMK

[Double-O-Zilch]

Awesome! I'm still losing the battle here but maybe now I can win the war! Thanks for the info.

[Regric25]

I am 100% Bryopsis free! It might come back so ill keep 1 Molly to keep it gone. Its like crack to them I swear!

[BIGBIRD123]

where did you get the molly's

[Regric25]

Polly's but you can get them almost anywhere.