Showpiece rock, Mushroom and bryopsis

[recoiljpr]

All,

I purchased a showpiece rock from a reefer a few months ago that ended up having bryopsis on it. I placed the rock in a rubbermaid container with powerhead, etc and total darkness for 3 weeks. I then scrubbed the rock hard and put it in my tank.

A month later, I see little bits of what looks like bryopsis starting to grow on it (GRRRRR!!!). From what I can think, my only next step is to totally nuke the sucker and turn it into dead rock. Normally, not a big deal but (you knew there would be a but!!!) There is a huge 5+" mushroom I want to keep. It's "foot" is firmly in a crack on the rock that I cannot get to. I would like to avoid killing it if possible.

My questions are -

1. Any other ideas to remove the bryopsis? I would hate to kill that one rock.
2. If I do have to nuke it, any ideas on how I can save the shroom?

[JoshOdphi]

i would say jus take a razor blade to the bottom of its stalk at least as far down as u can reach and jus cut it...put it in a container with some rubble rock or crushed coral...should reattach....shouldnt die....

[carlinsa]

there is a post called wageing war on bryopsis in this particular forum. before you kill the rock maybe send Bstreep a message and ask him from what i understand he is the self-proclaimed byropsis murderer.

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52844

[Bill S]

Thanks for the PM. As noted above, I'd remove the mushroom - it should do fine - and anything else you want off of the rock.

Take the rock, and put it in freshwater. Outside is fine. Add some bleach to the water, and let it sit for a week. Feel free to scrub the spot on the rock. I prefer bleach, because it dissipates in the air. Then run lots of water thru it, changing it a couple of times a day. Depending upon how big the container is, take a pound or 2 of anhydrous baking soda (bake it at 350 for an hour or so), and sprinkle it LIBERALLY over the rock - especially where the bryopsis was. Leave it for a couple of days or a week. Then do some water changes regularly.

Depending upon how big the rock is, you may not want to add it back to the tank, before recycling it. You can then add seawater from your tank, and a handful of sand, let it cycle for a couple of weeks. Then add it back to the display.

Having ruined a tank that started with a tiny spot of bryopsis, I would nuke the rock RIGHT NOW.

[cpreefguy]

Great advice Bill.

And good luck recoiljpr !

[uriah]

Question... What is the likelyhood of the algea growing back if you take a razor to the rock and simply cut it out (including a piece of rock underneath the growth)? I have two spots of this stuff in my tank, but it doesnt seem to be taking over... yet.

[uriah]

there is a post called wageing war on bryopsis in this particular forum.
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52844

This is a great link, I dont think mine is bryopsis, just hair algea.

[cpreefguy]

Question... What is the likelyhood of the algea growing back if you take a razor to the rock and simply cut it out (including a piece of rock underneath the growth)? I have two spots of this stuff in my tank, but it doesnt seem to be taking over... yet.

Likelyhood? I'd say, 100%
Bryopsis is like a cancer in the reef tank. It will take over, only a matter of time. I'd follow Bill's instructions ASAP. JMO, not worth losing your tank over a piece of LR...

[recoiljpr]

Man, not what I wanted to hear Bill, but thanks for the info! I guess it's time to say bye bye to that rock. Man I loved that thing, it's what made my little cave possible. I guess I'll have the two islands in there for a while. It's not often I found a rock that shape and size (13" long). I also just (last weekend) glued some frags on it. Guess i'll have to move them. Stupid Algae, die already daggumit.

[JoshOdphi]

so wut u gon do with the mushroom??