Bryopsis!!

[michael_cb_125]

Well, everything has been going very well in my tank, until a few weeks ago. I rearranged my rock scape, and in the process I flipped over one large plate type rock. So I exposed a side that had previously been in the "shade" or "dark". After about a week of my intense lighting, I started noticing some grass taking root. Well not the rock has quite a bit of this crap growing on it. I have never had any issues with algae and I am getting irritated. I am almost 100% sure that it is bryopsis. None!!! of my fish will eat it, and ALL of my fish LOVE algae. . It is darker green than hair algae, and grows differently. It is thicker and much tougher.

Another note: It is only growing on this one particular rock. Nowhere else. There is not a spec of algea (besides the purple stuff ) on any other rocks.
My water quality is very high, and I am kinda stumped. I know that when testing for Phosphates in an aquarium will any amount of algae it will test low, since the algae is using it up. But since it is only growing on this particular rock, I do not think that is the case.

I added a few turbo snails, and an emerald crab to the tank about two weeks ago. I did not think that they would eat it, but I needed a few more snails anyway. So, I have an EVIL GREEN GARDEN and I need something to mow it down for me. Snails dont touch it, crabs dont touch it, fish turn their nose up at it, and it is very difficult to pick off manually. SOOOOOOO>>>>>>.......

What to do?
I have been looking into the Lettuce Slugs, but I know that these little guys can be iffy. Also I have read an article in Advanced Aquarist that in order for lettuce slugs to eliminate bryopsis from an aquarium, they must be added in very large numbers. Then once the "grass" is gone they will starve to death. Well, I do not want to kill anything other than the algae.

Hmmmm...

What to do.

 

[chrisstie]

I have actually had great success with a bryopsis invasion (it grows shaped like a feather, almost, and its roots stay stuck down so if you tear it just spreads into pieces) when I bought 2 pacific lettuce sea slugs for my 55g.

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&pid=1213&cid=83

I know BZ hasn't got quite alot since shipping in the holiday season is a little iffy but if you look on that site and compare it to the other one that comes from the gulf/atlantic waters thers a difference. I have first hand experience that the slug from the pacific ate my algae. Without a pic or anything though I can't be certain it would eat yours but if you could find a source ofthese guys they are worth a shot!

 

[michael_cb_125]

I may give these little guys a try.
~Michael

 

[coralnut99]

A picture may help. Bryopsis is stubborn, but not as tough and short as you describe.

 

[michael_cb_125]

In this picture you can see the algae. It is not a closeup but it gives you an idea of what I am dealing with. It is not widespread, and I am not super worried about it, but I like my tank nice and clean. This green algae just ruins the appearance.

 

[michael_cb_125]

 

[coralnut99]

Oh Boy. Does it feel pretty stiff and wire-like?

 

[coralnut99]

Tough to tell from the picture, but here's something to compare to:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1512703

Though I'm starting to think it is just bryopsis, as it looks like there's a few tufts on the back glass?

If it is indeed bryopsis, lettuce slugs commonly found should take care of it, as along as you don't have any predatory crabs in the tank.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have no crabs in the tank other than a tiny emerald.

The back glass actually has a few patches of dark green coraline. The only place in the tank that has the bryopsis is that one rock.

I guess I need to get a few Slugs
~Michael

 

[madadi]

looks more like hair algae to me. does it have tiny feather like structure. almost like a small fern? bryopsis looks like a small fern.

 

[awilds]

I will 2nd coralnuts comment as the thread he refers to was started by me. From your pic, it looks like you have the dreaded turf algae that i have!! My advice to you - since this is only on one rock for now - is to get this rock out of your tank asap and let it dry completely. Then scrape off the dead algae before replacing. This is NOT bryopsis if it is plastic-like in its consistency. It cannot be killed by any of the usual methods of controlling algae and will even survive w/o light. Keep a close eye on it and do not let it get out of control. Like HA, it will take over your entire tank - albiet slower than HA.

 

[bogg]

Looks like gha?

 

[Atomikk]

If you have a macro picture, we can better ID it.

If it is a bryopsis situation, I have written a step by step approach that works for most!

http://blog.fragd.it/2008/05/09/step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-beat-bryopsis/

 

[Garage1217]

From experience in battling an insane bryopsis / hair algea / grape caulerpa & maidens hair invasion a year ago *LOL* I was able to kick all 4's tail when I raised my mag up to 1600+ made sure the water quality was superb & skimmed wet. I have 0 of all items in my display tank for 11 months now.

No idea if it will work for you, but worth a shot. I used brightwell magnesion. Others have used Kent Tech M with the same results I had. All turned white, died and gradually fell off the rocks.

If it is in patches & in small qty, you can spot kill it. Boil water, suck it into a large syringe and blow the boiling water directly over each patch. Do it with at least a 10ml syringe.

 

[LockeOak]

High Mg levels killed off Bryopsis for me, though you'll want a cleanup crew that can pick away at the remnants.

 

[theJiggyfly]

i agree on the MG levels and would get a sea hare to do the house work.

 

[reefer31]

I have noticed with my experiments that using the aptasia control stuff or the aptasia x or whatever, works in killing off the bryopsis. I just turn off the powerheads and then just totally cover the algae with the aptasia white stuff(not sure what it is...maybe concentrated calcium hydroxide???). Anyways it basically covers the algae but it is caustic and kills the algae. I just do it when there is a small patch that comes up, takes care of it pretty quick. I just did some patches on sunday and now, friday, the patches are gone. Also before I forget, I have the return pump going in the tank just not the powerheads. I told this discovery to one of my fellow employees at the lfs and he tried it in his reef since he was battling with bryopsis and it took care of it.

I would make sure you dont overdose the stuff into your tank, take it easy for a little bit to make sure it will not cause problems. I unload on the algae though with no ill effects, my tank is a 120. Hope this works!!

 

[spoofer]

raising alkalinty to 11dkh and calc to 480 does a good job at killing it off.

i started snipping and sucking out patches when it showed up, and if possible take the rock and put it in a bucket with no light for 3 days and then throw a power head on it. These have all worked in the past for me

 

[darkdruid]

The nerite snails in my tank love it, hardly any of it left after about a month.

 

[Jk5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13919709#post13919709 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michael_cb_125
My water quality is very high, and I am kinda stumped. I know that when testing for Phosphates in an aquarium will any amount of algae it will test low, since the algae is using it up.
What to do. [/B]

How many no3 do you have?
If you are at no3 0 or under nitrate limitation then bryopsis could growth...

Many invasive algae (and cyano and dinoflagellates) doesnt use no3, they used another nitrogen compounds (nh4)...
In nitrate presence another no invasive algae and planckton can autocompete with succsess against invasive algae (bryopsis, asparogopsis-Falkenbergia-......)

Look in this post how Mr Schuhmacher (Faune Marine owner) said to a mate with bryopsis that a bit of no3 could be a solution for bryopsis when you are at nitrate 0 or under nitrate limitation...

message 14 in this post
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=220082

try to keep nitrates at least in 2 ppm for avoiding nitrate limitation...
In strong infestation with bryopsis, Falkenbergia and so if you are nitrate limited then you can make kno3 adition.