Very wirey bushy algae Help IDing please

[carri10]

Hello.
I have this algae that is slowly, but relentlessly growing in my tank. None of my algae eaters will eat it. That includes algae blenny, bristle tooth, sale fin, the usual snail varieties, 3 tuxedos.


It is tough to pull out, until it forms a bush, which stage it can be pulled out fairly easily.

The tank is just under 300 gallons, nitrates are around 15 PPM, phosphates around 0.02 PPM.
Looking for an ID so I can track down which herbivores will get it.
Thanks.

 

[scotty333]

Bryopsis

 

[scotty333]

Think emerald crabs eat it

 

[carri10]

Thanks Scotty. Pretty sure it’s not Bryopsis. It doesn’t have a fern like appearance, and it’s significantly tougher and more wiry.
I think it’s a kind of tough Algae, but not sure which one.

 

[scotty333]

Hmm don’t know then , is there more of it?

 

[carri10]

There’s a lot. The pulled out about 20x that amount today, but there still a lot in the tank.

 

[scotty333]

There’s a lot. The pulled out about 20x that amount today, but there still a lot in the tank.

If it pulls out then it’s not bryopsis cos that stuffs like weld
Maybe a bunch of different crabs will control it

 

[kevgib67]

Does it look like this in your tank?

 

[carri10]

Now that is an interesting question. I did have that, about 6 stalks. I pulled them out and set about the rock with some bone cutters to try and get any hypothetical roots out. Didn’t come back.

I’ve read it’s not a great thing to have in the tank.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

IMO not bryopsis. Something else.

 

[kevgib67]

Now that is an interesting question. I did have that, about 6 stalks. I pulled them out and set about the rock with some bone cutters to try and get any hypothetical roots out. Didn’t come back.

I’ve read it’s not a great thing to have in the tank.

Had to tear my tank down because of it. I didn’t know then what it was and that it was calcified and urchins are the only thing that would eat it. My case was rare though.

 

[carri10]

Had to tear my tank down because of it. I didn’t know then what it was and that it was calcified and urchins are the only thing that would eat it. My case was rare though.

Sorry to hear that. It’s got a bad rep, so I’m constantly on the watch out to check if it returns.

 

[carri10]

Bump to see if any others have an ID idea.