Finally an easy solution to bryopsis!
- Thread starter TWallace
- Start date
gofor100
New member
I've finally finished reading MOST of this thread and am seeing if I can have the same success. I luckily only have a few patches of Bryopsis, but I want to kill it before it gets out of control.
It seems to me that the people that have had the most success are the people with good params to start with, that stick with Tech M as their sole supplement for Mag (even after the bryopsis is gone), and increase their Mag levels at a slower pace (versus increasing the Mag in increments of 100+ per day since this tends to shock some corals/inverts). So having said that, I luckily have good params right now (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate < 5, but my Mag was low at 1092- which is actually good I think since I want to rely on Tech M solely to raise the Mag, and this low starting level will allow me to dose more Tech M over the long term), I'm running a TLF Phosphate reactor and just started dosing the Tech M at just slightly more than the prescribed rate (listed on the bottle). Started this on Sunday and will let everyone knows how it goes.
Does anyone think that I should increase my dosage daily? I figure that nothing good happens quickly in this hobby, but a lot of BAD things do... so by dosing Tech M somewhat slowly I hope to have the same results on the Bryopsis and no shock to any of my SPS/LPS or inverts.
It seems to me that the people that have had the most success are the people with good params to start with, that stick with Tech M as their sole supplement for Mag (even after the bryopsis is gone), and increase their Mag levels at a slower pace (versus increasing the Mag in increments of 100+ per day since this tends to shock some corals/inverts). So having said that, I luckily have good params right now (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate < 5, but my Mag was low at 1092- which is actually good I think since I want to rely on Tech M solely to raise the Mag, and this low starting level will allow me to dose more Tech M over the long term), I'm running a TLF Phosphate reactor and just started dosing the Tech M at just slightly more than the prescribed rate (listed on the bottle). Started this on Sunday and will let everyone knows how it goes.
Does anyone think that I should increase my dosage daily? I figure that nothing good happens quickly in this hobby, but a lot of BAD things do... so by dosing Tech M somewhat slowly I hope to have the same results on the Bryopsis and no shock to any of my SPS/LPS or inverts.
bigbubbacain
New member
Would regular epsom salt work? It's magnesium sulfate.
redfishsc
New member
Likely not. Didnt' work for me, that's for sure. Tech M did... for a while (bryo came back).
I'm 99% sure that magnesium has nothing, or nearly nothing, to do with Tech M killing bryopsis. Tech M has impurities in it. It's tan in color. Both magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride are crystal clear when dissolved in water, and these are the only two ingredients it lists on the new bottles.
The old bottles listed a small platoon of trace elements (including copper, which I am suspecting is the culprit here).
Their actual product has not changed. Only the ingredient list. I have verified this with Kent.
gofor100
New member
Good news so far... like I said in my previous thread, I've been dosing my 60 gallon mixed reef with Tech M since Sunday (so 4 days of doses so far- 3 as of last night), and I just measured my Mag last night (was approx. 1350) which was a larger jump than what I was expecting since my previous measurement was just at 1092... nonetheless, all of my corals have been responding well and look even better (probably because my Mag was low to begin with), none of my inverts (i.e., snails, urchins, shrimp) are showing signs of distress, and all of the fish are acting normal. The one thing that is not liking this change is the weed from hell, BRYOPSIS!!!!! Hahahaha (that was my evil laugh)!!!!
Its tips are starting to turn light/clear and some little bushes are already disappearing as of last night, which could be the work of my two purple pin-cushion urchins that find the dying or decaying plant more to their liking than the thriving form of the same plant. So this morning I dosed again (slightly less than what I had been doing up to this point so as to not bring the Mag levels too high too quick) and we'll see what it looks like tonight.
Going forward, I'll probably continue dosing Tech M until the filthy weed is disintegrated, and then continue dosing Tech M as needed to keep my Mag at appropriate levels going forward. I'll let you guys know of updates.
Its tips are starting to turn light/clear and some little bushes are already disappearing as of last night, which could be the work of my two purple pin-cushion urchins that find the dying or decaying plant more to their liking than the thriving form of the same plant. So this morning I dosed again (slightly less than what I had been doing up to this point so as to not bring the Mag levels too high too quick) and we'll see what it looks like tonight.
Going forward, I'll probably continue dosing Tech M until the filthy weed is disintegrated, and then continue dosing Tech M as needed to keep my Mag at appropriate levels going forward. I'll let you guys know of updates.
JeF4y
El Conquistidor
I'm a believer here too. I had pretty bad bryopsis in my 60 and completely wiped it out within a week. Like disappeared type wiped it out. I went from magnesium of 1350 to 1600 and now I'm slowly going back down through water changes, but think I will use tech-m for my magnesium additive in my mix to keep it at 1350-1400 from now on instead of epsom salts.
gofor100
New member
So here's a great update... ALL OF THE BRYOPSIS IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of it was gone by the end of last week and my Mag levels were right below 1500 (like 1495). I then did a water change (I didn't want to increase my Mag levels much higher than 1500), which reduced my Mag to about 1480, did one last dosage of the Tech M (which brought the Mag back up to just about 1500) and BLAM!!! All of the Bryopsis was gone within the next day or so.
Going forward, I'll probably keep the levels at about 1500 for another week, and then slowly reduce it to about 1400 long term, still using Tech M as my source of Mag.
I'm a believer!!!
Most of it was gone by the end of last week and my Mag levels were right below 1500 (like 1495). I then did a water change (I didn't want to increase my Mag levels much higher than 1500), which reduced my Mag to about 1480, did one last dosage of the Tech M (which brought the Mag back up to just about 1500) and BLAM!!! All of the Bryopsis was gone within the next day or so.
Going forward, I'll probably keep the levels at about 1500 for another week, and then slowly reduce it to about 1400 long term, still using Tech M as my source of Mag.
I'm a believer!!!
redfishsc
New member
This is good news, guys.
Just beware the return. It can totally disappear from sight and show back up. Keep a few doses of that Tech M handy.
Also, don't sweat your Magnesium levels being around 1500 or 1600. Mine have been slowly dropping over the past few months and has been over 1500 until the past month, where I finally get a result for around 1450.
Nothing in the tank seemed to care over the gradual decrease.
Just beware the return. It can totally disappear from sight and show back up. Keep a few doses of that Tech M handy.
Also, don't sweat your Magnesium levels being around 1500 or 1600. Mine have been slowly dropping over the past few months and has been over 1500 until the past month, where I finally get a result for around 1450.
Nothing in the tank seemed to care over the gradual decrease.
Chuck H.
Member
Putting Tech-M to the test....
Putting Tech-M to the test....
I've battled Bryopsis several times....and lost twice (meaning I completely broke down the tanks). I re-established my Nano Cube on Nov. 1, 2009 after losing to Bryopsis and had previously completely broke down my 65 mixed reef, which is now an Undulate Trigger tank and the subject of this post, and started it over a few years ago before going FOWLR with it.
So, here's my 65 as of 30 minutes ago:
Tested my Mag with an Elos test kit, it read 900. The calculator advised about 75 ounces of Tech-M to get to 1600. So, 3 cups today (24 ounces), tomorrow and Thursday, then I'll test again to see where I am. I could probably dump the whole amount in there and not harm Shamrok, but I don't want to chance it...I really like that trigger:
I'll keep a photo journal of the Bryopsis' condition and post here....we'll see.
Putting Tech-M to the test....
I've battled Bryopsis several times....and lost twice (meaning I completely broke down the tanks). I re-established my Nano Cube on Nov. 1, 2009 after losing to Bryopsis and had previously completely broke down my 65 mixed reef, which is now an Undulate Trigger tank and the subject of this post, and started it over a few years ago before going FOWLR with it.
So, here's my 65 as of 30 minutes ago:
Tested my Mag with an Elos test kit, it read 900. The calculator advised about 75 ounces of Tech-M to get to 1600. So, 3 cups today (24 ounces), tomorrow and Thursday, then I'll test again to see where I am. I could probably dump the whole amount in there and not harm Shamrok, but I don't want to chance it...I really like that trigger:
I'll keep a photo journal of the Bryopsis' condition and post here....we'll see.
redfishsc
New member
I personally recommend you dose a bit slower. I personally suspect that the agent that kills the bryopsis (which is not the magnesium) is toxic even at lower levels, and that it can be degraded or otherwise bound-up in the tank.
Meaning, you will probably get the same effect by dosing enough to raise the mag by 50ppm per day.
I would also recommend you rip out as much of the bryopsis as possible, and dose the Tech-M by using a baster or syringe to "target feed" the TechM to the bryopsis. Shut off all circulation and return pumps for as long as you can stand it to let the crap "bake" in the Tech M.
Just watch your corals if you have any in there.
Meaning, you will probably get the same effect by dosing enough to raise the mag by 50ppm per day.
I would also recommend you rip out as much of the bryopsis as possible, and dose the Tech-M by using a baster or syringe to "target feed" the TechM to the bryopsis. Shut off all circulation and return pumps for as long as you can stand it to let the crap "bake" in the Tech M.
Just watch your corals if you have any in there.
Sohal Tang Tim
Member
Tech M....mmmmm not working yet
Tech M....mmmmm not working yet
I have been dosing Tech M for about 2 weeks now..I have used
or am *on* my 3rd bottle of 473 ML.....it is being emptied tonite....
that will be 3 bottles put into the tank in just under 2 weeks.
The tank is 280 gallon plus sump and now larger fuge should be
about 300 gallons of water after all displacement.... I tested
the Magnesium before I started and it was at 1300.....I am not sure
what it is at now.....will be testing it tommorow.....but....it does not seem
to be helping *at all* with the hair algae so far.....Perhaps I have to
use alot more...I will find my darn reading glasses and read the bottle
tommorow to see what I am supposed to be at by now and then test.
I dont think I am even close to the max....so I may need a few more bottles....which is probably why it is not working yet....just dont know....
Almost giving up and getting ready to strip the kit and start over.
I will NEVER buy used liverock again I can tell you that....This stuff has gottttt to be leaching phosphate at an incredible level as my RO is zero
tds and water changes often and flow excellent lights excellent and ROWA
was used often recently switched to GFO....Problem is notttt going away
or even subsiding! Built an algae scrubber that is kicking in but wont know
how it is working for another couple of weeks as it is only about 1/4 covered with algae so far.....only running for about 10 days....
Hair algae is the worst...I cannot believe this challenge..>I have been in the hobby forever and neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr seen this in my tank other then one time it showed up and a seahare mowed it down gone in days....not this time...this time 4 seahares would not touch it! I am soooooooooo discouraged. Sorry to vent but...I could hit the tank with a sludge hammer right now....angry? um...YEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP.....
I just cant understand....RO = ZERO TDS.... H2O salt, perfect lights,
perfect flow, not overfeeding, ROWA , water changes..and stilllllllllllllllll
nothinggggggggggg helping. Ouch! Sorry to VENT! hahaha I cannot believe anyone has an idea that I have not already tried....No I have not and will not cook the rock...I will start over with new rock before I do that....
If I have remove 300lbs of live rock covered with hair algae and take toothbrush to it..I may as well SELL THE CRAP and BUY NEW ROCK and START OVER.....much less of a headache....but I am hoping so bad not to have to do that as rock aint cheap!!!!!! especially 300lbs!!!!!!
Tim
Tech M....mmmmm not working yet
I have been dosing Tech M for about 2 weeks now..I have used
or am *on* my 3rd bottle of 473 ML.....it is being emptied tonite....
that will be 3 bottles put into the tank in just under 2 weeks.
The tank is 280 gallon plus sump and now larger fuge should be
about 300 gallons of water after all displacement.... I tested
the Magnesium before I started and it was at 1300.....I am not sure
what it is at now.....will be testing it tommorow.....but....it does not seem
to be helping *at all* with the hair algae so far.....Perhaps I have to
use alot more...I will find my darn reading glasses and read the bottle
tommorow to see what I am supposed to be at by now and then test.
I dont think I am even close to the max....so I may need a few more bottles....which is probably why it is not working yet....just dont know....
Almost giving up and getting ready to strip the kit and start over.
I will NEVER buy used liverock again I can tell you that....This stuff has gottttt to be leaching phosphate at an incredible level as my RO is zero
tds and water changes often and flow excellent lights excellent and ROWA
was used often recently switched to GFO....Problem is notttt going away
or even subsiding! Built an algae scrubber that is kicking in but wont know
how it is working for another couple of weeks as it is only about 1/4 covered with algae so far.....only running for about 10 days....
Hair algae is the worst...I cannot believe this challenge..>I have been in the hobby forever and neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr seen this in my tank other then one time it showed up and a seahare mowed it down gone in days....not this time...this time 4 seahares would not touch it! I am soooooooooo discouraged. Sorry to vent but...I could hit the tank with a sludge hammer right now....angry? um...YEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP.....
I just cant understand....RO = ZERO TDS.... H2O salt, perfect lights,
perfect flow, not overfeeding, ROWA , water changes..and stilllllllllllllllll
nothinggggggggggg helping. Ouch! Sorry to VENT! hahaha I cannot believe anyone has an idea that I have not already tried....No I have not and will not cook the rock...I will start over with new rock before I do that....
If I have remove 300lbs of live rock covered with hair algae and take toothbrush to it..I may as well SELL THE CRAP and BUY NEW ROCK and START OVER.....much less of a headache....but I am hoping so bad not to have to do that as rock aint cheap!!!!!! especially 300lbs!!!!!!
Tim
Sohal Tang Tim
Member
not bryopsis
not bryopsis
I dont have bryopsis....
I have standard .....very tough green hair algae....
It is not the bryopsis type.
Some reefers recommended that I try it...I was not counting on it working.
I dont think much works against hair algae.....not once it has a hold in a large tank....
I have just been told to try Phos Buster..... and I have also been
told to double my ROWA in the reactor from 500ml to 1000ml....
thats my next attempt to stop this brutal infestation.
Tim
not bryopsis
I dont have bryopsis....
I have standard .....very tough green hair algae....
It is not the bryopsis type.
Some reefers recommended that I try it...I was not counting on it working.
I dont think much works against hair algae.....not once it has a hold in a large tank....
I have just been told to try Phos Buster..... and I have also been
told to double my ROWA in the reactor from 500ml to 1000ml....
thats my next attempt to stop this brutal infestation.
Tim
redfishsc
New member
If you have a good, beefy skimmer, consider dosing vodka, vinegar, or vitamin C.
You will be wanting to outcompete the HA for phosphate and nitrate.
Also do everything you can to keep pH at 8.4 or 8.5, higher pH has been (anecdotally) shown to help slow it down.
What kinds of tangs do you have in there? Most tangs and rabbits love hair algae.
You will be wanting to outcompete the HA for phosphate and nitrate.
Also do everything you can to keep pH at 8.4 or 8.5, higher pH has been (anecdotally) shown to help slow it down.
What kinds of tangs do you have in there? Most tangs and rabbits love hair algae.
Sohal Tang Tim
Member
tangs
tangs
I have a Desjardini Tang 4-5inch, a Maculiceps tang 3 inch, purple tang 4-5inch, a yellow tang 5 inch, and NONNNNNNNNNNNN of them are touching the hair algae...at all.....notta......
I will look into the Algafix...thanks....
Thanks everyone....
Tim
tangs
I have a Desjardini Tang 4-5inch, a Maculiceps tang 3 inch, purple tang 4-5inch, a yellow tang 5 inch, and NONNNNNNNNNNNN of them are touching the hair algae...at all.....notta......
I will look into the Algafix...thanks....
Thanks everyone....
Tim
mfinn
Active member
you are the man!
you are the man!
I have a 180 gallon aquarium that I have set up with live rock and was planning a fish only aquarium. For this reason I have not paid much attention to magnesium and calcium levels. As a result I have operated with depleted levels and have struggled off and on with bryopsis. At one point it became so bad I got rid of everything and set up a freshwater tank.
Since transferring back to a marine tank a year ago and setting up my live rock I started getting hair algae again. I have again tried several solutions with no success. Your article convinced me to give it a try and WOW!!!!! Since boosting the magnesium level to about 1350 the bryopsis is struggling and starting to die off.
I know now this does work and wanted to thank you for your post. People need to understand that setting up a fish only tank does not mean they can ignore the chemical balance, if you do you will not be happy with the results.
Thanks again
you are the man!
I have a 180 gallon aquarium that I have set up with live rock and was planning a fish only aquarium. For this reason I have not paid much attention to magnesium and calcium levels. As a result I have operated with depleted levels and have struggled off and on with bryopsis. At one point it became so bad I got rid of everything and set up a freshwater tank.
Since transferring back to a marine tank a year ago and setting up my live rock I started getting hair algae again. I have again tried several solutions with no success. Your article convinced me to give it a try and WOW!!!!! Since boosting the magnesium level to about 1350 the bryopsis is struggling and starting to die off.
I know now this does work and wanted to thank you for your post. People need to understand that setting up a fish only tank does not mean they can ignore the chemical balance, if you do you will not be happy with the results.
Thanks again
redfishsc
New member
Man that's good to hear. :bounce1:
Just know that your low calcium and mag levels didn't really contribute to the bryopsis (or hair algae, they are two totally different things). Bryopsis and hair algae don't benefit anything, really, from low calcium or mag levels.
Lots of folks have tried standard magnesium chloride flakes and mag sulfate (epsom salts) that don't work at all (I know, I tried both, and a LOT of them).
The Tech M usually does the trick--- is this the product you used? I've also heard of folks having success with Seachem Reef Advantage, but that seems to be much more hit or miss.
There's just some impurity in the Tech M (and apparently some batches of Reef Advantage mag) that kills the bropsis. Magnesium in and of itself doesn't seem to do anything other than it's usual helping corals and coralline algae.
