Turtle Weed

[monkerz]

I have placed a few posts on other forums and really got no help. I am going to try here.

I have had a outbreak of turtle weed for over a year now. I have to pull out and scrub my rock once a week. I really dont wish to keep doing this and want to get rid of this. I have tried a Sea Hare, Foxface and tangs. I also tried a lawn mower blenny. I have had no success. I have lost a few coral due to it growing over them.

Any help killing Turtle weed would be appericated. Thanks.

 

[saltycreefer]

What's it look like? Not really good on common names of algae.

 

[monkerz]

The real name is Chlorodesmis fastigiata

 

[lulaface]

I've never heard of turtle weed being invasive. Are you sure it isn't hair algae? That will definitely overgrow corals quickly. Either way, you should be able to keep any algae in check (to a certain degree) by monitoring your nutrient levels. What are your nitrates and phosphates?

If it really is chlorodesmis I'd love to get some. I have a marine planted tank. Post a picture of your's maybe.

 

[monkerz]

Here are a few pictures. Hope someone can tell me if its Turtle weed or hair algae.

 

[Diatome]

Just two words for you Bryopsis hypnoides.

Definitely nutrient control, maybe a refugium with aggressive plants, is needed to control this stuff. I shoved about 4 types of Macro into my display to help fight my outbreak, and switched water sources.

 

[monkerz]

I have a 75 gallon refugium. Can you suggest the best Macro I can use.

 

[lulaface]

Is that your refugium with the long-feather caulerpa in it? That's pretty aggressive but you might want to add grape caulerpa and chaeto as well. I have those two in mine and they double weekly. Also, since they are so small, they grow into a tight mat and fill every inch of fuge space before they need to be pruned. If you need some I sell mine for $5.00 per sandwich bag full, plus about $5 shipping for 2-day.

 

[monkerz]

Its all in my refugium. I have grape caulerpa and spagatti. I dont see my macro growing fast. In fact its been 6 months and I have never had to take any out . I use regular lights in my refugium. It runs 24/7. Should I use Actinic lights also?

 

[lulaface]

No, actinics won't do anything. In fact, you need more of the red spectrum for plants. I guess I would suggest more light down there. How long has it been since you changed bulbs over your main tank? Older bulbs can apparently effect algae growth as well.

 

[monkerz]

Have VHO's and changed them a month ago.

 

[Plantbrain]

High doses of Mg have helped a few folks.

I have not verified it personally however.
You need a nice log growth model and then do the treatment under controlled conditions to see.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[dzeadow]

to grow plants, you need a light in the 6500k spectrum roughly. I have a compact florescent put into a garage clip on light w/ that spectrum in my fuge. It's recommended by melev on his sight, he uses it on his 280g tank w/ huge sump fuge, so I'm sure it's gotta work. I've only had it on for a couple weeks so it's hard to tell if it's growing fast or not.. I also have a small bio-load.