Dictyota Help

[Kobashi]

About a 8 months ago, I had some an outbreak of this terrible macro alge called dictyota. I thought it might be good and had this iridescent sheen, so I left it for a while... I waited too long. Iit got into all of the cracks of the rock work and overtook my tank. Needless to say, near the end, I really wanted to quit and ended up reaquascaping as I pulled ever single rock out and brushed it with wire brushes and peroxide (I know... I know... but by that time I was done with it... it was basically a restart). And then I added some chemical reinforcement. (And yes, I tried reducing phosphates and many water changes at the same time).

Anyway, I thought it was beat. But recently, I see small patches here and there... so I've been cutting and suctioning it out. Yes, phosphates were a little high the last time, and now they are just about .05. So, 3 days ago, I did a 30%, and then this weekend a 20% water change. I haven't run GFO yet, but I plan to. However, before I go and buy a bunch of chemicals, I thought I'd ask...

1) What are some natural solutions (besides water changes and keeping phosphates to 0) that work! Yeah, yeah, I know that all aren't guaranteed, but from experience, what will MOST LIKELY work? Tangs, urchins, crabs?

2) Mind as well hear about other chemical options... I used (forgive me if this is not the name, I'm not at home... housesitting) something called Algae Fixit (or something). It worked, nothing seemed to get killed besides the algae, but is this the best? Other ideas (mixed reef safe)?

Thanks!

 

[defchild84]

I feel your pain, I went through a similar , if not exact same with blue ochtodes with the jawfish tank. I hope there is a solution, brother- til then, 'bump' n good luck!

 

[saintsnsinners]

I wouldn't treat with chemicals. in fact, I don't know if there are any chemicals that will treat this type of algae. I would keep up with manual removal and starve it of nutrients.

 

[evolved]

John Maloney says:

Manual Removal -Only large established patches are difficult to remove, treat incoming liverock with it in the dark, or in a separate tank before adding it to the display. If it does make it in your display dont allow it to spread, it is easy to control if it stays managed early on. Take a dental pick and scrape off every inch of holdfast you can. Get it all the first time and be done with it. At the least get it down to its minimum so the cleaners can polish it off.

Clean Up Crew- Emerald Crabs, Sea Hares, some Turbos, Chitons, Limpets, Tangs, and Urchins will eat it. Longnose Decorator Crabs will devour it, they go crazy for Dictyota.

Starving it out - While it seems to be able to survive nutrient lulls, its growth is much easier to check than cyanobacteria and many of the species we have looked at in this guide so far. Competing macroalgae can help slow the growth of Dictyota, and many can outpace its absorption of nutrients. Members of theChaetomorpha and Caulerpa family are particularly effective, once established.

 

[mike89t]

I've been away from the hobby for a few years. However I fought dictyota off using a Naso Tang. They love the stuff.

 

[Kobashi]

Thank you everyone... I've got some phosban, a weekly water change schedule, and a LOT of elbow grease going into it right now. I think this algae is the worst. I started looking at all of the reefcleaners nuisance algae and I think I've had each one at least once in my saltwater career... oh well, I guess... what's life without a challenge every now and then?

 

[KeithB]

I'm resurrecting this from the dead, but I used Algae Fix Marine @150% recommended doses to kill off my bad outbreak. Took about 2.5 weeks to totally rid my system of it and I had it bad.. it was even growing ON my Purple Stylo. The macro in my fuge was pretty ****ed, but its making a comeback after a heavy trimming. My SPS and LPS didn't even notice it.

I'm now at 1 month past last treatment and I have yet to see a sprig of Dictyota.

Hope that helps.