Bryopsis algae help

That one guy · Mar 9, 2015

So my tank has bryopsis and I heard it's bad. Did some research and learned that the only way to get rid of it is by using tech m magnesium. So I went to get a 16oz bottle along with a Red Sea magnesium test kit. I did a test before adding anything and I couldn't figured out where I was on mg. The liquid turned blue as soon as the black rubber ring marked at 0.3 so i dont know what's my ppm on that. Second of all, how high do I have to rise it? And for how long? Until it's all gone? Also do I really have to avoid water changes for water chemistry to concentrate better? Will it have any impact on my corals or fish? I need more help please anyone?
My tank is 46(60"x15"x12") mix reef. Two clowns and a trigger. Tank is 5months old.

JOKER · Mar 9, 2015

I run mine high all the time. Have never noticed any ill affects. I will say you will end up needing more than 16oz. I know on the salifert kit if you use the whole 1ml it is at 1500. The recommended level is 1600-1800 . I would keep it there for at least 3 weeks. If you do a water change just add some to your new water. You aren't supposed to raise very quickly. It should tell you on the bottle. The lower the better IMO.

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 9, 2015

With the red sea kit if u used . 3 of the titration you're at 700 ppm.. If u used . 7 of the titration and we're left with. .3 then you are at around 1400 ppm

spspirate · Mar 9, 2015

I think there is about 60 species of bryopsis and which ones are negatively affected by a raised magnesium level are a mystery in the hobby. It's worth a shot though. What worked for me one time is a large Mexican turbo snail. A hungry one that is. Buy one and keep it away from anything he will devour. Maybe 3 or 4 days no food. Then add him in at/around the bryopsis. Keep an eye on him. Worked for me. Cheap and natural remedy if it works. Good luck!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 10, 2015

FWIW, the effect some see on bryopsis may have nothing to do with the magnesium itself, but possibly to impurities in it.

DaveMorris · Mar 11, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, the effect some see on bryopsis may have nothing to do with the magnesium itself, but possibly to impurities in it.

I have always heard the same thing. That is why the only recommended mag supplement to use for bryopsis control is Kent Tech M. Something about how its made or some impurities that that specific brand has seems to be effective on the algae.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 11, 2015

Biological control might be another way in a larger tank. I had a little bryopsis, and now I have none, and I never treated for it. I expect my one-spot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) ate it, as he did other problem algae, such as a bad Caulerpa racemosa infestation.

JerryO · Mar 11, 2015

I had a pretty bad outbreak not too long ago. I kept removing as much as possible manually, raised my Mag level to 1600, added a Yellow Tang and Starry Blennie, and the combination of that got rid of it, and hasn't returned for over 9 months now.

JerryO · Mar 11, 2015

Oh, I forgot an important piece of advice. I used the Kent brand Tech M Magnesium, I read that's the only one that works.

Pete polyp · Mar 12, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Biological control might be another way in a larger tank. I had a little bryopsis, and now I have none, and I never treated for it. I expect my one-spot foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) ate it, as he did other problem algae, such as a bad Caulerpa racemosa infestation.

I watched a tank with a pretty bad outbreak become bryopsis free about 2 months after a two spot foxface was put into the tank. Once he found it as a food source it quickly disappeared.

JOKER · Mar 12, 2015

Yes the kent tech m is the only one that will help. Interesting on the 2 spot. Do their diets vary from the magnificent? I have a magnificent that took care of bubble for me but never touched the byropsis or gha.

Reeferkeeper666 · Mar 12, 2015

I thought bryopsis contained a toxin, and thats why fish wouldnt touch it?

DaveMorris · Mar 12, 2015

My fox face won't go near it. Maybe its time to throw a yellow in there and see what happens.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 12, 2015

Reeferkeeper666 said:
I thought bryopsis contained a toxin, and thats why fish wouldnt touch it?

Many algae (perhaps most marine algae) contain chemicals to make them unpalatable to herbivores.

But usually there is some organism that finds a way around it, or the ocean might be overrun with that algae.

That one guy · Mar 17, 2015

So my mg is at 1420ppm I added 10ml today. Is that enough to rise it up or should I add more? It's a 46g.

NanaReefer · Mar 17, 2015

Use this BRS calculator.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

ZoaCollector · Mar 17, 2015

I had a bad case of it back in the day too. I used a combination to get rid of it. Kent tech m was one. I boosted to 1600ppm maybe higher. Used Elos Mag test kit. It reads pretty high. I noticed my snails died when i reach higher than 1600ppm. I also ran phosban pretty extensively and added a UV sterilizer 25w. I forgot to mention i was battling dinos at the same time too. This combination worked in a couple of weeks. I noticed the bryopsis start to turn white and die off as well as the dinos. Best of luck!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 17, 2015

That one guy said:
So my mg is at 1420ppm I added 10ml today. Is that enough to rise it up or should I add more? It's a 46g.

For bryopsis? Folks usually add on the order of 200 ppm or more.

DaveMorris · Mar 17, 2015

I found a new way to get rid of bryopsis...Let the cyano cover it and smother it.

That is what is currently happening in my tank. I decided that before I do anything about the cyano I'm going to let it smother a little more bryopsis.

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 17, 2015

DaveMorris said:
I found a new way to get rid of bryopsis...Let the cyano cover it and smother it. That is what is currently happening in my tank. I decided that before I do anything about the cyano I'm going to let it smother a little more bryopsis.

Lol. This what I would do as well.