Learned some cool stuff about algae

[Europhyllia]

I already had the sprung book on algae so I actually only ordered the little paperback Marine Algae Control Secrets to get free shipping but it has some interesting info!

Like for example even though I always washed my arms really well (no detergent), sometimes used should lengths gloves, etc. after every big caulerpa trim job I felt my LPS seemed hurting and now I learned that caulerpa has something called Caulerpicin and it's a toxin that can hurt coral growth and even harm some fishes!

Also read some cool stuff about cyano, bryopsis and others and will post when I have more time. :)

[Regric25]

bryopsis Can you post info on this algae lol It seems that I have a little issue with this stuff

[Europhyllia]

oh you will not like it. It says it comes in two forms/stages and ones it appears in plant form it actually becomes somewhat independent of nutrient availability in the surrounding water. The conclusion I am drawing from this is that once bryopsis is established addition of GFO media to reduce nutrients may have little affect on stuff like bryopsis in plant stage

[ErikH]

BYOB

Bryopsis is a you know what.

[StevenSeas]

lettuce nudis dine almost exclusivly on bryopsis, had to get one when my bc broake out with a case of it.

Karin, yes what does it say about cyano? Always trying to find more out about that one, seems the toughest to get rid of unles your lucky enough to get bryposis

[Europhyllia]

Yes Cyano -very interesting. It actually says not to worry if you get just a few sprinkles. But if you get mats remove the mats because once the mats develop they shut down the metabolic processes below and in essence feed themselves because biological filtration is diminished due to the mats.
I guess that would also answer the question some people have about:
"I can't siphon it off should I blast it off the rocks or would it just cause it to spread?"
Answer is blast it if you can't siphon it (just lifting the mat off somehow and tossing it would be best) because if you let the mats grow you are pretty much feeding it.
Much like bryopsis once established the cyano sustains itself in that way and won't need much input from the water