Invasive feather Algae!

[matts125]

I am having some troubles with an invasive feather algae, I have a large tang and a rabbit fish in my tank and they eat it but it grows very very fast and is spreading! I need some Ideas on how to controll this stuff, I am worried it will continue to spread and cause major problems in my sps reef tank.

I can get pics if needed for an ID..

Thanks for your input.

Matt

 

[DonW]

Daily hand plucking. I know its a drag but it works.

Don

 

[matts125]

Daily hand plucking. I know its a drag but it works.

Don

doesnt that cause it to spread?
also much of my tank i can not reach with my hands, any ideas how to pluck that stuff?

 

[DonW]

I have this cheesy long grabber thing I got at petsmart. Its about two feet long and works great for grabbing things you cant reach. It wont spread as long as you get it out and into the trash.

Don

 

[matts125]

I also plan on adding some large turbo snails so hopefully when I pluck it out they can take care of the rest of it..

matt

 

[Elmo18]

Matt, do you have a sea urchin? My sea urchin took care of caulerpa...macroalgaes....along with coralline.

Feed lightly.

Best,
Ilham

 

[DonW]

Matt, do you have a sea urchin? My sea urchin took care of caulerpa...macroalgaes....along with coralline.

Feed lightly.

Best,
Ilham

Mine was great it took care of coraline, green algae and all those pesky sps corals.

Don

 

[matts125]

Mine was great it took care of coraline, green algae and all those pesky sps corals.

Don

Yeah ya know since we all want those pesky sps to be gone!!!:lol:

I havent ever trusted urchins, they are also very very capable of crating avalanches from wedging in the rock crevices..

Thanks for the advice...

Matt

 

[Ed Hahn]

Matt,
Bob Finner talked about Algae competing for territory. What would you think about using another type of algae to compete for food?

 

[matts125]

Matt,
Bob Finner talked about Algae competing for territory. What would you think about using another type of algae to compete for food?

I have no idea at all on how to go about that, knowing my luck then I would have two out of control algea's growing in my tank.....

 

[DonW]

I have no idea at all on how to go about that, knowing my luck then I would have two out of control algea's growing in my tank.....

:lol: Refugium Matt

 

[TWallace]

The description "feather algae" sounds like possibly bryopsis. Can you post a close up, in-focus picture for id?

 

[DonW]

The description "feather algae" sounds like possibly bryopsis. Can you post a close up, in-focus picture for id?

That would be nice. Its easier to deal with.

Don

 

[twilliard]

up up up with that Mg

 

[Ed Hahn]

Matt,
I am not sure what type of algae you are calling feathered algae. But what I was talking about was adding different types of Algae like Don said in your refugeum. Algae robs nutrients. Another idea would be to use a Rowaphos or Phosar and starve algae.
Algae usually needs a food source.

Bryopsis is probably the worse in my oppinion. I hope you do not have that one.

 

[treehugger]

my emerald crabs/lettuce nudibranch took care of mine...good luck...hand plucking also works

 

[matts125]

:lol: Refugium Matt

Ohh well in that case I have a 50 gallon fuge with 3 different types of algea in it.

The description "feather algae" sounds like possibly bryopsis. Can you post a close up, in-focus picture for id?

it definately is not bryopsis, i have a small patch of that that has never done anything but look stupid..

up up up with that Mg

I run my mag at 1500, how much higher does it need to be, also what is a safe level?

Matt

 

[edwing206]

I think 1600+ not too high though.

 

[Boomer]

That sounds like one of the 4-5 species of Caulerpa, that look like feathers, such as C. ashmeadii, C. paspaloides var. wurdemanni, ,C. sertularioides, C. sertularioides f. longiesta, C.vickersiae

 

[matts125]

I think it is one of the feather caluarpa's

Any other input on raising my magnesium? is 1600 safe for all my fish and corals (specificly sps) also is this going to be effective on the algea?

Thanks

Matt