bryopsis

[daniel smith]

Hello
I have just set up an aquarium for sps and although the tank is only ten weeks old all the parameters are as i would like for an sps tank (no nitrates ,no phospates). The problem is there is a small amount of bryopsis algae in some hard to reach crannies on the live rock. My main question is will a blue legged hermit crab tackle this algae .I dont really want to add hermits as my clean up crew consists of all various snails and i have been informed that hermits will kill and eat snails. But if they did a good job of eating bryopsis i would risk one or two. If this is not a good idea what else will eat this.

 

[DitchPlains2]

hmm

hmm

Welll first thing is actually testing your parameters, test nitrates, nitrites, phos and silicates. Start Running Phosguard/rowahos, etc... Make sure the flow is reaching all areas of your tank, "no dead spots." Lastly, get a few blue tuxedo urchins, their very small under and inch and can quickly decimate any hair algae, but sadly if your paramters are out of whack it will just come back with a vengence. My advice is to do lots of water changes as your tank sounds very very new. DO NOT ADD SPS for a long time, make sure you get your tank parameters dialed in and the water flow correct. Sps require lots of flow!

good luck
David

 

[daniel smith]

As already mentioned i have no nitrates and no phosphates as my deep sand bed and cheato combo seems to have kicked in .I have also run a product called ultiphos( uk ) from the very begining which keeps phosphates under control (and presumably silicates).I use RO water for top up and water changes 10% weekly and cirulation is 40x times an hour . Is bryopsis just a phase or is it an ongoing problem.

 

[King-Kong]

Bryopsis is a tough beast to smash.

Mine continued to grow and survive well after my chaeto stopped growing.

A virgatus/doliatus rabbitfish, lettuce nudibranch, and even some tangs will eat it.

It's a difficult algae to deal with. It is not a fan of high pH, either.

 

[nine9d]

I had tried everything when I had it. I got a sea hare and now I will swear by them monsters.

 

[daniel smith]

Thanks for the replies.
I think i will try a sea hare or a lettuce nudibranch as this will fit in with the all molusc clean up crew . Hope this helps as my yellow tang is a lazy git and won't touch it . cheers.

 

[nine9d]

The lettuce nudi also eats stuff but it seems to take forever. I had 3 of them. I than added 1 sea hare and within the week the bryopsis was gone. GL!

 

[DitchPlains2]

Daniel

Daniel

Sorry I didnt see that you posted your zero nitrates n phos, well the growth of your hair algae has to be based on something. I suggest getting some new test kits, ie: Lamotte or Salifert. I also know that pruning large chunks will help the cleanup crew, as I know the reason most hermits and snails and emerald crabs fail to eat Bryopsis is because theirs mouths cannot eat something twice the size of their orafice, a large clump of Bryopsis will appear like trees to these small creatures. I had a sea hair both small and large varieties, and yes they are in my opinion second best for defeating hair algae, I think either pincushion or tuexdo urchins are the only true Bryopsis animals, for one main reason, these urchins will also eat your coraline. I know that sounds awful when your rocks are starting to look like a typical English Garden, however when they consume the coraline with your Bryopsis they will spread the coraline, and if parameters are correct it will help the battle as well. I have a thread on here I will look for that I started in my long battle with Bryopsis . I will say this, a DSB can be both a savior and a sin, it at first can seem to help the problem but in time if not properly kept will definately cause unexplained Bryopsis outbreaks. Not making this a pro BB thread, but I will tell you the difference for a beginer in keeping SPS is astounding. Good luck

Cheers
David:rollface:

 

[daniel smith]

Thanks for your reply dichplains2 i agree with your comment about DSB's as the bryopsis is only growing at the interface between the sand and the rock which leads me to believe that it is down to trapped nutrients in sand which the test kit won't read as they only detect what is actually in the water column .My test kits are both new nitrate =(salifert), phosphate=(merc/deltec). Thank's anyway but i shall just persevere pulling it out by hand and hope something grazes the rest . Also i will try vacuming the little crannies where it is growing. Cheers.

 

[DitchPlains2]

Daniel

Daniel

Your very welcome indeed! The fact that your hair algal problem is developing where your rocks meet, may suggest a dsb problem but could also represent a lack of proper flow. Unfortunately with a dsb developing the right amount of flow over the dsb is absolutely crucial, and probably the hardest aspect to get right. I think making sure that good laminar and indirect flow is reaching these deadspots can help free up the loose detritus that can accumilate there. Sadly, the battle with bryopsis can be a daunting one. I am sorry I could not find my own thread, I am terrible at searching on this site I must admit. good luck, if all is lost take my advice and get some urchins they can save a tank in need.

cheers
David