Help with Lobophora/Brown Wafer Algae

Q

Quis

New member
I have had this algae in my tank for about 1 yr now that came in on a small sps frag. It didn't grow at all for about 6-8 months then all of a sudden it start to appear all over the tank. Now all my rock is about 50% covered with this pest. The lobophra is starting to make some of my zoa's close. I have try to remove it by hand, but it still come back. I thought about removing all the rock, but they all have corals on them. I also thought about adding two emerald crab, but don't know if they are going to be a problem in my tank, and not eat the algae. I was told that a Naso tang will eat the lobophora, but they are too big for my tank. Dose anyone have had this algae in their tank and was able to get rid of it? Any help will be appreciated.
 
I had my tank going for over a year before it made it's appearance in mine. 1/2 my tank was covered in it and luckily you can peel the stuff off fairly easily. There are no magic bullet solutions and it usually requires rock removal/peeling.
I run PhosBan in general and not specifically for Lobo. My tank is now rid of Lobo and now the problem du jour is "money plant". Out of the blue after 3 years, the stuff is popping up left and right. Gotta luv this hobby!
 
I was afraid that was the answer that I was going to get. I have so many sps on these rock that I'm not sure how I'm going to pull this off. I was thinking maybe I can buy new live rock and try to cut all my sps close to the base as possible.
 
yes, start peeling.

I have found that when fine algae gets into frags like zoos, 3-4 days in the dark sump takes all the starch out of the algae enough for a pretty good cleaning and the corals are fine.

you can also semi-cook rocks in the sump for a week or two, some you may be able to clean and flip over.

I saw it get killed by green fuzz microalgae in a tank crash though :D, but I don't think you want to go there.
 
You can also buy a small naso tang and he will eat all that brown wafer algae. Then find him a home if your tank is not big enough to house him. Thats their favorite algae.
 
Do you think a 3-4" naso will be ok in my tank just long enough to take car of the lobo? It a 40 breeder.
 
Ok I'll give it a try. The only problem is finding one that is around 3-4 in. The smallest that I have seen at the fish store was about 51/2 in.
 
Ok everyone I just found a Naso tang that is 3" yesterday hoping that he will wipe my tank out of lobophora. Is it going to take awhile before he start eating this algae? How fast do these tang grow?
 
I would say you have around 6 to 8 mos before he gets too. big.
Usually they start looking for the algae and eat it. Have you gotten it yet?
 
Znut I found a 3" naso at my lfs on Friday. He's already eating the lobo :) I just hope that he will eat it all before he gets to big.
 
Quis,

Ok look forward to hearing the naso took care of the problem for you. You are welcome for the help. :)

miguel, Yes I would give it a try if I were you. The naso loves that brown algae over anything else.
 
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