Help Identify
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44663
Printed Date: December 27 2024 at 9:15pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help Identify
Posted By: jmw
Subject: Help Identify
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:03pm
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I have some sort of algae growing and and I would like to be able to identify it and know how to get rid of it. It is very stiff and it is very hard to pull off the rocks. Any help would be appreciated.
cal=450
alk=11.5 dkh
mag=1230 ppm
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Replies:
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:09pm
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Bryopsis!!! Get it out now or you will be forever getting rid of it. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:16pm
| how?????? |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:24pm
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Take whatever its on and take it out. This stuff spreads fast and soon it will be throughout your tank. The only way to get rid of it is to dose your tank with Kents TechM magnesium. You have to raise your mag to 1700 and keep it there for a few weeks before it will die. It took me 2 and a half gallons before it started dieing. And it has to be Kents Tech M. Dont ask me why, but its true. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:40pm
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That's not Bryopsis and high Mg won't do a thing with it. It's common name is Sea Brush. It's related to Valonia. At one time, before I knew about it, I had a lot of it. The herbivores kept it mowed short.  It has such a strong attachment that when a piece can be pulled off, rock comes with it.See this recent thread for info about what to do about it. http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44482 - http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44482 ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:46pm
That is soooo correct.
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Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 7:46pm
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You sure its sea brush?
I don't know a lot about plants, but it certainly does look like this brypropsis. I couldn't find any good pictures of Sea Brush though http://www.niobioinformatics.in/seaweeds/taxonomy/Bryopsis%20plumosa.htm - Brypropsis |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 8:00pm
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I added 30 astria snails and a yellow tang about two weeks ago. I think its too long for the snails to eat however the tang eats it continuously. I have cut feeding in half. Once a day half as much.
My tank is a 34 gal RSM. I have a question though, everywhere I have read about valonia algae says its a bubble algae however I see no bubbles. What am I missing?
Thanks,
John
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Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 8:37pm
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Let me start out by saying that I am not an "algae expert".
Mark are you thinking of Cladophora? If so then it is somewhat related to Valonia in the fact that they both belong to the same order (although this is a very distant relationship when it comes to algae).
Maybe you are thinking of Valoniopsis? This is closely related to Valonia although I don't think it is ever called "Sea Brush".
I don't think I know what it is (I tend to think it is not Bryopsis since it usually has feather shaped tips, although there are like 40 species of Bryopsis). Whatever it is I would try to keep a high alkalinity, feed less if you are a heavy feeder, replace your bulbs if they are old and remove it by hand if possible. Most likely you won't have a problem.
Good luck. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 8:56pm
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Jake, you are more expert than me. I'm just a hick farmer. I'd say that neither of those are what we are looking at. If you look closely at the structure, you will see that it has a very strong outer shell with water inside. It's just a different shape. I used to cut it short with my fragging scissors and the herbivores came after me. Unfortunately I never could get rid of it.  It's not a common algae so it's common name probably doesn't matter. Here is possibly a red variety of the same stuff or at least a similar tough algae.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 9:39pm
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OK , I'm no expert on algea either, but I have been battleing bryopsis for 2 years now and I've tried snails, crabs, urchins and none have worked. The bryopsis I had also had the little feathers as Jake described, but also looked just like the picture above . Just take my word, if it starts spreading everywhere you'll be sorry. And even if Mark doesn't believe it, TechM finally worked for me. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 9:43pm
Here are a couple more pictures. The strands are about 3/8 long. Not good pics but maybe it can help a little.
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Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 1:26am
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Mark,
The red variety above is possibly a large variety of Polysiphonia (I wish we had an algae ID expert on the board).
jmw,
I think you have Cladophora (although again I am not positive) and not Bryopsis. I don't think you can usually see the cell wall segments like you can above with Bryopsis.
Another great way to get rid of these types of algaes is urchins. I like the diadema genus since they tend to chew less on the calcareous algae. Try and get little tiny guys so they can get in the tight spaces. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Chad
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 3:17am
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Where is Suzy when we need her? ------------- What?! You pooped in the refrigerator, and ate the entire wheel of cheese?! I'm not even mad.... That's actually amazing! |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 2:55pm
| Thanks for all the input. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 4:10pm
Honestly, that algae looks exactly like the stuff I once had; strong bushy tufts of prickly fibers. That was so long ago, though... I could be wrong. I agree with Jake that Urchins are a good bet. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 6:50pm
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No problem Mark, that's why we are all here. To give advice and different opinions. Nothing in this hobby is cut & dry. All is good. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 7:07pm
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I actually agree with Mark, it is not Bryopsis. the common name is Maidens Hair. It kind of has a texture of a bristle on a toothbrush if I'm not mistaken. Tech M will not work on this Algae.
Sorry Brad
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Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 7:59pm
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I'll tell you what WILL work. Take the rock out and apply some hydrogen peroxide to the algae, after about 3 min rinse it off with some RO and put it back in your tank. Goodbye algae. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 12:37am
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I have read alot about hydrogen peroxide. Some say just apply directly with a syringe, no harm to coral or fish. Also, I have read about Seachem Excel. Anyone have any experience with this?
I'm really leaning toward the hydrogen peroxide just wondering if I need to remove the rock or apply directly in the tank?
Aquatica,
I looked up Maidens hair, of all the algae pics I've seen that looks exactly like what I have. My only question is why is my yellow tang eating it like crazy?
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Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 2:21am
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Don't ever apply the peroxide into your tank, remove the rock, apply the peroxide to the affected area, and then after 2-3 mins rinse with RO and place back into your tank. Hydrogen Peroxide will kill all inverts and really messes up your ORP so you shouldn't ever add it directly to your tank. Feel free to call me if you have questions I've used this method to get rid of tons of nuisance algae on frags, equipment, etc. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 2:26am
| I have Bryopsis on some rock i just turn it upside down so it wont grow as fast with any light and keep crabs keep it in check |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 2:34am
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SGH360- bryopsis is very hard to get rid of, if you have it I would eradicate it asap or you'll never see the end of it. Buy a gallon of Kent Marine Tech M and raise your mag over several days to around 1700, it will start to turn brown, hold your mag at 1700 for at least a week, manually remove what you can and then let herbivores finish it off. Otherwise it will just keep coming back... ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 2:38am
| I had it over 6 months and it has not grown. I have a Gallon of Tech M if that happens i will just nuke the rock. I remember my frogspawn had some on it side, when i bought it, i dont know what happen to it, the thing dissapeared |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 8:20am
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Sometimes we get lucky!
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 10:54am
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JMW;
Dont use Seachem Flourish Excell that is a Freshwater Plant Fertilizer. It will do horrible things to your tank... I was going to suggest a Yellow Tang but you already have that covered, they love the stuff! Try Emerald Crabs they like it as well.
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 8:27pm
Seachem Flourish Excell? Where did that come from?
 Lot's of herbivorous fish like this algae and after my experience with it, I would never, ever, recommend it for a Refugium. The darn algae might start growing in the main display and then where would you be. Most fish cannot eat it down to the rock, with the possible exception of a Naso Tang. I've seen them scrape down to the rock to get at Sargassum holdfasts. In fact I just remembered, it was a cousin of the Naso, another type of Unicorn Tang that did the best job of keeping it mowed very short in my old tank. Let me see if I can find a pic...here it is:  Sea Brush is at the base of the Sinularia on the right. The clown cleared it away from the egg patch under the Sinularia on the left. Here is Bryopsis   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: jmw
Date Posted: November 14 2010 at 1:16pm
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Tried the peroxide on a couple of rocks, didn't seem to have any affect on it. I think my next steps will be: 1. Keep feeding portions down.
2. Keep lights on for 8 hrs. max.
3. Run a Magnum 350 with activated carbon.
4. Let the tang do it's thing.
5. Try to have some patience before reacting!
John
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: November 14 2010 at 10:09pm
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I'm not too surprised that algae was so resistant. It's the toughest I've ever seen. That's a good list I'd try an Urchin. I like the "collector" Urchin. It's easy to pick up and very interesting to watch it carry odd things around on it's back. Only if the Magnum has some mechanical filtration cleaned frequently to remove crud, will it make any difference. AC does not remove algae nutrients, btw. The scissors worked well to snip the algae as close to the base as possible if the Yellow Tang wasn't able to keep up with it, until the Unicorn Tang was added. Good luck. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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