Loosing the Bryopsis Battle

[Gary Majchrzak]

What herbivorous fish(es) would you recommend for a 30 gallon (I think that's what OP has)?

30 gallons is DEFINITELY the limiting factor here.

For example, I could place a rock smothered in Bryopsis into my 220 reef aquarium and my large herbivorous fishes would go at it.

You can't have large Acanthuriids in a 30.

In a 30 you might try a really small Foxface and/or a Lawnmower Blenny.
Small Zebrasoma will like pick at the feathery fronds, too.. although Bryopsis isn't a favorite food.

Whatever you do, don't expect fishes to eat Bryopsis if they know you feed good stuff.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

link to Sea Hare info

 

[Phishguy]

I had a battle with byprosis and I beat it by doing a 3 solid day blackout.. No light at all... I removed as much as I possibly could and decreased flow a bit.. Haven't had any trouble since.... During that time I also replaced all my Rodi I filters and membrane.. All my corals survived with no adverse reactions etc..

 

[wonderz]

Yeah, large tanks definitely have it easier.

In my opinion tho, I don't really think foxface, lawnmower blenny, or small tang would help for bryopsis unless you're not feeding at all...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

don't forget

don't forget

no matter what method you use.... you need to export nutrients from water/ aquarium.

In other words.... Sea Hare poop or blackouts will fuel new Bryopsis growth unless you're running a skimmer or doing big water changes.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Yeah, large tanks definitely have it easier.

In my opinion tho, I don't really think foxface, lawnmower blenny, or small tang would help for bryopsis unless you're not feeding at all...

I know of LFS's that use these fishes in 30 /40's to control all nuisance algae growth.

I'm not telling anyone what not to do

 

[wonderz]

I know of LFS's that use these fishes in 30 /40's to control all nuisance algae growth.

I'm not telling anyone what not to do

Yeah, I don't doubt it wouldn't work, but I just think its a little different comparing LFS's tank to a hobbyist's tank.

LFS can throw a couple of those fishes in a small tank to get ride of algae and move them out later. For a hobbyist, it might not be as easy.

Urchins also eat algae, I seen them eat green nuisance algae but not sure if they specifically eat bryopsis tho.

 

[nanomania]

Algae Turf Scrubber has been used by Jim Stime, mark callahan and there are many SPS dominated tanks on youtube who have been using only ATS as the only filteration... please check youtube....
also check this thread.....
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1977420&page=131

 

[Johnic]

no matter what method you use.... you need to export nutrients from water/ aquarium.

In other words.... Sea Hare poop or blackouts will fuel new Bryopsis growth unless you're running a skimmer or doing big water changes.

I think the fact that I have a 30 gal and my stock skimmer can't export the nutrients.
I'm doing 1 gal water changes each day now.
Do you think when I size up to a 75 gal I will be able to handle the problem easier (ie: larger slimmer)

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Better export is going to make it easier for you to deal with all nuisance algae.
All reef keepers have to deal with this issue.

 

[wonderz]

I think the fact that I have a 30 gal and my stock skimmer can't export the nutrients.
I'm doing 1 gal water changes each day now.
Do you think when I size up to a 75 gal I will be able to handle the problem easier (ie: larger slimmer)

I think when you size up to a 75 gal, you can try some of the herbivore fish recommendations that Gary suggested.

 

[Chris Abbott]

Don't want to hijack the thread, just want conformation on my problem. Thanks