Bryopsis slowly taking over :(

[lviva003]

Hello everyone! I started my first reefing experience in december of last year. I acquire a 36 gallon tank and purchased about 30lbs of dry rocks from BRS. I let my tank cycled and later bought some fish and corals. About 2 months ago i decided to buy some chartomorphia from liveaquaria (biggest mistake ive made). I bought because it was supposed to be beneficial to my tank and i do not know anyone with a reef tank that lives close to me. Anyways, after i introduced the chaeto everything has gone downhill. I started noticing a lot aiptasia and mojado anemone all over my tank. As soon as i saw those things i quickly removed the chaeto from my tank. The chaeto was in my tank about 3 to 4 days before i removed it. I then noticed some algae growing on my sandbed and rock. The algae on the rock started spreading very quickly so i decided to take it out and the algae from the sand i was able to scoop it out. The algae on the sand for some reason is spreading like a wild fire all over my tank. The algea is everywhere on my sandbed throughout my tank, especially in the back. Anyways, i need some serious help because i hate looking at my tank and seeing all that algae. The algae is deff bryopsis because it has the feather shaped and i also have film algae. Tank param:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate less than 5
Ph 8.0
Calcium 420
Alkalinity 9.5
Magnesium 1200
Phosphate .13
Salinity 1.026

 

[lviva003]

I forgot to mentioned that my corals are closing up because the algae is attaching onto the coral. Everyweek i have take out the corals and take as much of the algae out so they can open up

 

[Reefing Madness]

You need to go get Kent Tech M, and bring your Magnesium up to 1600-1800ish, you cn also do a 3 day total lights out while maintaing this routine, this will kill it off. Also, your phosphates need to come down to .05 or under.

 

[lviva003]

How long do i do tge kent mag for? And how do i lower my phosphates? Im already running gfo and carbon

 

[Reefing Madness]

GFO exhausts quickly when there is to much phophsate in the system, you may have to replace it sooner, just to get it down.
The Kent Tech M routine will continue until you see the stuff dead, eveyones tank is going to be different on this time frame, just depends on your tank.

 

[NanaReefer]

Are you sure it is Bryopsis?

Be prepared to spend some money. Your going to need a LOT of the Kent Tech-M. As it takes a lot to raise your magnesium to the 1600-1800 levels. Then it must be maintained at those levels for several weeks to several months, or until you see the Bryopsis turning white. It is a very tough algae!

 

[tigerdragon]

I would get mag at least up to 1400

 

[Sea_Monkey]

This is what I've been doing along with picking/scraping/siphoning as much out as possible. They are still there but doesnt grow as fast and some patches are turning transparent. Oh and I also add 5ml of hydrogen peroxide a day, my DT is 40g, total system with sump is around 56g-60g. And for thw corals with bryopsis on it, take them out and dip it in a 3:1(tank water:hydrogen peroxide) water ratio. Leave them in the solution for 2 mins, after 2 mins put them back to where they were,within a couple of days they will disappear. I've dipped everything, softies, lps,sps from low end to high end and they are all fine. Hope it'll work for you .

 

[lviva003]

Are you sure it is Bryopsis?

Be prepared to spend some money. Your going to need a LOT of the Kent Tech-M. As it takes a lot to raise your magnesium to the 1600-1800 levels. Then it must be maintained at those levels for several weeks to several months, or until you see the Bryopsis turning white. It is a very tough algae!

Sadly It is. I've been looking at pictures online and it looks like the same thing I have. I would take a picture, but my camera sucks.

 

[lviva003]

This is what I've been doing along with picking/scraping/siphoning as much out as possible. They are still there but doesnt grow as fast and some patches are turning transparent. Oh and I also add 5ml of hydrogen peroxide a day, my DT is 40g, total system with sump is around 56g-60g. And for thw corals with bryopsis on it, take them out and dip it in a 3:1(tank water:hydrogen peroxide) water ratio. Leave them in the solution for 2 mins, after 2 mins put them back to where they were,within a couple of days they will disappear. I've dipped everything, softies, lps,sps from low end to high end and they are all fine. Hope it'll work for you .

Thanks for the advice! Will the high magnesium have any negative effects to my corals or fish? I only have LPS and softies. Hydrogen peroxide? is that the same thing as Coral rx?

 

[lviva003]

Sorry for the multiple replies, but to anyone with experience using Kent, should I get the 16 ounce? how much have you guys used when dealing with bryopsis? Also, I do not have a sump.

 

[Bad Company]

Get something fun that eats algae (crabs, blennies, snails etc. etc.). Then export the resultant nitrates and phosphates. A way better solution than chemicals.

 

[Sea_Monkey]

Thanks for the advice! Will the high magnesium have any negative effects to my corals or fish? I only have LPS and softies. Hydrogen peroxide? is that the same thing as Coral rx?

trust me, I was nervous before I tried that method, but I went ahead and take a chance instead of sitting back and do nothing. I see no ill effects after dumping the whole 16oz in at once. Lps is still inflated, softies still open. Honestly I dont know what coral rx is made of, but use the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Get something fun that eats algae (crabs, blennies, snails etc. etc.). Then export the resultant nitrates and phosphates. A way better solution than chemicals.

Not many things will eat Bryopsis. Its also considered a clean water algae, you need not have Nitrates or Phosphates in your system to have this stuff thrive.

 

[Sea_Monkey]

Get something fun that eats algae (crabs, blennies, snails etc. etc.). Then export the resultant nitrates and phosphates. A way better solution than chemicals.

I've tried from turbos/red foot moon snails/emerald crabs/astreas/hermits and nothing would touch it, I jiust drop in 2 lettuce nudis, they are eating it but they are so slow I feel that the bryopsis grow faster than they can chao down. I dont like chemical warfare in my tank at all, but had to go that route instead of watching it die due to algae.

 

[lviva003]

trust me, I was nervous before I tried that method, but I went ahead and take a chance instead of sitting back and do nothing. I see no ill effects after dumping the whole 16oz in at once. Lps is still inflated, softies still open. Honestly I dont know what coral rx is made of, but use the 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Is there any way you can re-post the picture of provide a link that I can look at it. The picture comes out very blurry on my phone and I am unable to read it. Also, were you dosing Kent while doing the hydrogen peroxide? or just h202 by itself?

 

[FLipp]

i hate bryopsis, i was forced to get all new rock for my 57,
it might be too late on your case to start using kent m or hydra mg, but i would still give it a try.
i almost gave up on the hobby after the bryopsis outbreak, dont try pulling it because it will only spread more.

good luck!

 

[Sea_Monkey]

I dose hydrogen everyday.

 

[JOKER]

Get gallon jugs. Pretty cheap at dfs. I had it and the kent tech m took care of it quickly. Within 2 weeks mine was history. I now keep mine at around `1600 with no ill affect

 

[Rob&Gab]

Get something fun that eats algae (crabs, blennies, snails etc. etc.). Then export the resultant nitrates and phosphates. A way better solution than chemicals.

only thing that eats it really is lettuce nudis. but they dont do a good enough job.