Bryopsis growth

[timgrah]

When my son left for college I inherited his 30gal reef tank. After killing off most of his soft corals thie first month he was gone things have stabilized and the corals seem to be thriving. the problem is I can't rid the tank of bryopsis hair algea. Nitrite 0, NH3 0, nitrate 0, using protein skimmer, phosBan, and have close to 50# liverock. Tank is approx. 2.5 years old. Have 3 fish clown (14 months old), lawn mower blennie (3 mos) and chalk basslet (1m). Couple of emerald crabs, 10-15 blue leg hermits, 10 snails, hammer coral with new growth, pulsating xenia that's spreading, feather duster, red mushrooms and green button polps. Have dual actinic 65w pc (on 10h) and dual daylight 65w pc(on7h). Have been doing 4-5 gal water changes every 2-3 weeks. I'm currently using a TertraTec hang on filter. I remove about a handful of algea twice a week and have removed and scrubbed several rocks with no avail.
What can be done to get rid of this algea.
Thanks and sorry for such a long post.
Tim

 

[Len]

Hi Tim

If it's truly bryposis, nothing really eats it other then a Lettuce Nudibranch, Tridachia crispata. These guys aren't readily available these days (or at least to me they aren't) and they, like all sea slugs, are delicate and not long lived.

Bryposis tends to crop up in big populations before crashing on its own. If you make sure the water is good (keeping nutrients low), there is a good chance the problem will rectify itself. I highly recommend a Reverse Osmosis filter to filter your top-off/replacement/mix water to insure you aren't feeding the algae with eacth top off or water change. Other then that, you look to be doing well.

 

[Anonymous]

If I may add to what Len has suggested, be sure not to overfeed the fish, and replace your bulbs if they are old. I've read the wavelengths emitted change with bulb age. The R/O water is a must, IMHO. You can get a cheap unit at marinedepot.

Good Luck.

 

[RSanders]

For RO/DI try ebay. I paid $137 shipped (new) for a Six stage and have had it running for a couple of weeks now. Water tests perfect.<Tastes great too)

~R

 

[Jolieve]

Definitely check ebay. You can find RO/DI units so inexpensive on there, that it's worth it to order one from an auction.

J.