Bryopsis in a cycling tank? Do dose Mg?

[mjr]

I've had this tank up and running with live rock and some livestock for under a month now. A few light waves of algae, and now there is a green hair algae taking hold. Nothing too crazy yet, and the Lawnmower Blenny seems to be eating it.

Is this bryopsis?

If so should I start to dose Mg or do anything about it, or just let it run its course for a while and let the tank cycle?

 

[Joe Knows Reefs]

It's hard to tell from that picture but it looks a tad like some sort of filamentous hair algae. Bryopsis looks a lot like a small feather...and is hard to "pluck" from rock. Common hair algae is thinner and more easily pulled from the rock.

If it is Bryopsis get it out immediately. It's one of the few algaes that will continue to grow even if you get the root of the nutrients corrected.

 

[mjr]

That is an extremely close up pic. Has a slight feather like structure, but it is extremely fine.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Sure looks like it to me. If your tanks isn't that old, and you have nothing in it, I'd nuke it and start over. If your hearts not in that, then I'd definitely go lights out for 3 days after your get Kent Tech M and get the Mag up to 1600.

 

[mjr]

tank is stocked with a few soft coral and fish. i just ordered some Kent Tech M and Mg tests. I don't mind some algae but not a forest of this stuff.

 

[mjr]

Not ready to dose mag yet. I think this might just be a standard hair algae bloom. The landowner blend and emerald crab are clearing quite abut of the algae. I did however order a mag test just in case.

 

[Pete polyp]

That looks like byprosis to me. If it is then its more than likely seeded everywhere in the tank. This can be extremely difficult to erradicate. You can try removing the rocks with visible algae on them and using hydrogen peroxide to kill off what you can see. Good luck!

 

[Reefing Madness]

If its ok with you, then ride it out, the CUC will usually put a dent into it, but they usually can't remove it from the system, now adding a Sea Hare wouldn't hurt either.

 

[wbrown]

adding an arrow crab may do some good. Best I can tell it's bryopsis. After a few bouts with this stuff, I'd suggest nuking all of your rock and sand and go bare bottom, naked tank while you reseed and recure the rock elsewhere in the dark.
This crap is no fun at all. If you have a QT tank I'd move all the livestock over and wipe it out.

 

[Pete polyp]

adding an arrow crab may do some good. Best I can tell it's bryopsis. After a few bouts with this stuff, I'd suggest nuking all of your rock and sand and go bare bottom, naked tank while you reseed and recure the rock elsewhere in the dark.
This crap is no fun at all. If you have a QT tank I'd move all the livestock over and wipe it out.

Are arrow crabs proven to eat byprosis?

 

[wbrown]

can't speak beyond my own experience, I have had two that would eat enough to keep it from worsening. I have also gotten frustrated and yanked the rock, wrapped it in cellophane and froze it in a chest freezer for a couple days. problem solved.

 

[mjr]

I do not believe this is bryopsis. Every algae-eating creature I have put in the tank is eating this stuff. From what I have heard, most will not eat bryopsis. can anyone confirm this?

 

[Reefing Madness]

There are inverts that will eat Bryopsis, being as there are different types.

 

[Ginu]

That looks like byropsis tbh. Try a urchin as well and if the rock is accessible, I suggest taking that out asap and eradicating it.

 

[mjr]

well, the bryopsis pretty much died off. Not sure why, but now what is left is just a few random clusters of some heartier bryopsis. I got some tech M and am going to start dosing that, but I think tank was just going through some growing pains.