ulva lactuca

[Reefinny]

So I have read a lot about this being a good algae, but how do you remove it if it is not wanted. It seems to want to take over my frag plugs. it is taking over in my grow out tank, I have pulled it out manually, I have changed plugs, I have added snails (they eat it but not fast enough) I have a kole tang in the tank and he doesnt seem to graze on it or if he does not to make an impact. I was told to add a foxface, but I have a lot of LPS and Zoas in the tank.

Anyone??

 

[Reefinny]

Anyone?

 

[Reefinny]

anyone?

 

[Subsea]

To my knowledge, the fox face will not be a problem to any of your corals. Because I use utilitarian and ornamental macro I don't use foxface. I find foxface to be very temperamental.

 

[Reefinny]

Thanks.

 

[Tautoga]

I know in the marine environment, ulva is an indicator of high nitrogen. You might want to look at nitrogen sources in the tank (fish, invert load; debris and/or detritus build up under rocks).

 

[Reefinny]

Interesting. I will check them tonight. Thanks

 

[billsreef]

Foxface is usually safe for corals and zoas, but not macro algae Zebrosoma tangs will also eat Ulva.

 

[Reefinny]

I have been wanting one of those, Desjardini in particular. I have a Kole tang in the tank now. It is only a 75, BUT I am in the process of an upgrade to a 225. It would eventually go in there.

 

[Reefinny]

I got a foxface, small one. In quarantine now.

 

[tripdad]

I just went thru this in two tanks, Algaefix did indeed kill it, takes several weeks. A kole tang did not touch it in one and a two lined foxface did not touch it in the other.

 

[Reefinny]

Do you have corals? Any effect on them with the algaefix? I run a five as well packed with chaeto would not want to loose that

 

[tripdad]

Do you have corals? Any effect on them with the algaefix? I run a five as well packed with chaeto would not want to loose that

Yes I have a mix of SPS and LPS, It seems to have ticked off my hammer corals but otherwise ok. I would not treat the chaeto with it, I have a small ball in one tanks sump, did not die but isnt growing either.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Why not just do a larger water change? Harvest as much as you can, take it to a store for credit or freeze it to serve as backup green food for herbivores/ gel mix greens, and then do a few large water changes? The Ulva's growing on something (like...nitrogen), so if you reduce the nitrogen in the water, then the Ulva can't grow as quickly, allowing for your CUC to start actually getting rid of it.