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Dictyota Algae - Rabbitfish 3/1/19 About Brown Algae Problem/Algae Control
9/30/10
Stopping the dreaded Dictyota in its tracks (nuisance macroalgae control> 9/1/08 Hello Crew, <Hey there! Scott F. in today!> I am having a problem with Dictyota algae in my 250g reef system. It is not that the algae is completely taking over - it is growing quite slowly due to my low levels of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate are zero, big refugium, powerful skimmer, DSB). <Oh, darn- a healthy, stable system! Seriously, though- consider yourself fortunate, as this can be one of the absolute nastiest macroalgae to deal with. Of course, if you're trying to grow the stuff, I can understand that you might be a bit frustrated!> My pH is quite high (8.4) (Kalkwasser dosing with pH-controller) day and night and I only seldom dose iodine or trace elements, I do an 8 to 10% water change every week. <Great husbandry!> It would not be a problem to siphon the algae out every once in a while. Some parts of the Dictyota do, however, stay attached to the surface of the live rock and sometimes these parts begin to crawl up on my corals' bases. <Yup- seen that before!> It has reached a point where I have to scrape off some coral tissue together with the algae to prevent the Dictyota from slowly crawling further up on my corals. <And so the invasion begins...PLEASE be very careful here. I have seen this algae literally take over some beautiful aquariums. Even the smallest fragments, as you are discovering, can form new aggregations, smothering sessile invertebrates in the process. I'm going to talk a bit about this species in one of my MACNA presentations in Atlanta next week. I'm not a fan of this algae!> Thus, I was thinking of adding a Siganus doliatus/virgatus or a Naso tang to my tank to help with removing the algae from the coral tissue. I know that both fish are said to be among the few to eat Dictyota, and I have read your articles and FAQs (besides reading the daily FAQs ;-) as well as other sources on Dictyota elimination. Due to the small size of my system I would prefer one of the Siganids, my only concern is that due to the noxious nature of this algal family they might not eat it. So my question would be what you would recommend in my case? Which would be the better route to go? And if the Siganids - which species? Thanks in advance & best regards, Alex <Well, Alex- you asked...I am a bit skeptical about these fishes feeding on Dictyota. I have not seen a situation personally in which these fish-or any others-dine on this stuff with any degree of regularity. Sure, a specimen may develop a taste for the stuff, but I'd think that to be the exception rather than the rule. As you surmised, Dictyota is not particularly palatable to fishes. I am also not a big fan of the Siganidae. However, if I had to try one, I'd go for the so-called "One-Spot Foxface" (Siganus unimaculatus), which is about the smallest member of the family regularly available to the trade, topping off at about 8 inches. It's still a big, clumsy, aggressive, skittish, relentlessly active fish, IMO. It is known for producing copious amounts of organic waste, and is also capable of causing damage to corals and clams because of it's relentless grazing habits (gee-can you tell I'm NOT a fan!). Oh, yeah- I forgot to mention that it also possesses venomous spines, creating a potential threat to the hobbyist. All in all, I'd recommend keeping your Dictyota in check by either manual extraction (best accomplished by removing the affected rock/coral from the aquarium and removing the algae in a separate container of tank water. Yes, it's tedious, but I feel it's the most efficient, reliable way. However, please don't take my word and personal experience as the gospel. I have heard other hobbyists claim that the fish can help. If you like the fish, and can accommodate it and it's behaviors- go for it. However, if that is a potential problem, I'd continue with the tedious but effective practice of manual extraction. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck in your battle! Regards, Scott F.> Re: Dictyota - Rabbitfish or Naso? Dictyota- The Algae from Hell (Cont'd) 9/10/08 Hello Scott, <Hello again!> thank you for your answer & wishes - so the prospectus of getting rid of the algae is not very good... I had already read numerous scientific articles regarding the vast array of herbivore deterring secondary metabolites of this genus but had hoped that there was some animal liking the stuff (or at least eating it with disgust - I wouldn't mind). But it seems that in this case the cure could be worse than the disease - if that is possible. <Oh, it can be...> Best regards to all of you & keep up the good work, Alex <As an interesting side note: After my MACNA talk on algae last week, an attendee shared that he utilized a Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) to eat this stuff! Go figure...and ugly Tang with a beautiful appetite! Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>
Dictyota control and Rabbitfish - 05/02/07 I am a loyal reader of the WWM site, and have gained a tremendous amount of expert advice and guidance, paying no more than a couple of mouse clicks and some key strokes. For that reason, I feel obligated to share something that I have come across, hoping to give a small piece back to the WWM community. <I/we thank you> I have a 125 Gallon reef tank, with 2 bubble tip anemones (was one, split a few months back), 1 large branching Acropora , 1 large Montipora , 1 orange plate coral, 1 green open brain, 1 clam, several branches of frogspawn, and other assorted small corals. Also swimming are 2 Solomon Island Black Perculas , 1 royal Gramma , 1 Kole Tang, and 2 clown gobys. About 6 months ago, I started to get an algae bloom of what I would later learn was the dreaded Dictyota . Unaware of its nature, I tried to remove the Dictyota , but this only made things worse, spreading like wildfire around the tank. I was removing tons of it every week, but I was only managing to keep it short, it was covering about 2/3 of the visible rock in the tank. I only managed to keep corals from being choked out by siphoning off chunks of the Dictyota that surrounded each one 2X a week. I did my research on line, where urchins, diadema , and sea hares were all rumored to eat the stuff'¦.they didn't. The owner of my LFS said that he knew no way of ridding the tank, short of a 2 month lights out period (that would not be so good for the corals). Naso tangs were also rumored to eat the Dictyota, and in fact on ate some at the store so I brought him home. He started to eat the stuff, but then after one day, refused to eat anymore, and he died a couple of weeks later. If seemed to me that he may have died from eating the algae, which I hear can be noxious. Not wanting to kill another fish, I decided on a last resort, something I had seen written somewhere obliquely on a posting. I bought a two-barred Rabbitfish . He didn't eat anything for the first two days in the tank. On day three, I saw him nibbling a little on the algae. Over the next three weeks, I saw him actively swimming, and nipping only once in while. Yet his belly seemed full, near bursting. It has now been only a month, and the Dictyota is all but completely gone. I cannot believe I have my tank back. I still am in shock that 8 months worth of frustration is over. It seems impossible to me that this tiny wonder of about 3 inches ate what must of amounted to 8 lbs of algae or more. With the algae gone (hopefully never to return), I now have a hero of a fish, who instead of dining on Dictyota , will enjoy a life of Nori , greens, herbivore preparations, and protein. I am not sure if you have a forum for this, <Oh yes... both for Rabbitfish Selection and Brown Macrophyte control> but please share this with your readers. Searches for info on the subject brought about frustratingly pessimistic analyses. I want to let people know that Dictyota can be defeated, and all it takes is a three inch lawnmower called the two-barred Rabbitfish . Brant Goldsmith <Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner> Dealing With Dictyota - 04/27/07 Hi Crew, <<Hello Tim>> Thanks for taking my e-mail today! <<Quite welcome>> I have a primarily SPS reef tank that has been pretty successful for almost three years now. However, in the past few months I have experienced problems with my AquaC Remora Pro protein skimmer. I am sending it to the manufacturer to get fixed. <<Ah, very good...Jason Kim is a great guy and will take good care of/will treat you right>> Since the problems, I have experienced a slow but steady outbreak of brown algae (Dictyota sp. as ID from your website). <<This alga requires iodine...if you are dosing iodine; the removal of the skimmer may be allowing a sufficient surplus now to feed the Dictyota>> It should also be noted that I have a refugium with Chaetomorpha spp algae to export nutrients. <<Excellent...am a BIG fan of vegetable refugiums>> Once I get my nutrient export (protein skimmer) in control I want to try and combat this alga (I do 20 percent water changes weekly so I don't think it will take too long). <<Maybe so>> It grows in a relatively low lying morphology and is rather hard to crop. <<Isn't that always the case? [grin]>> Is there a species of snail, hermit, fish, etc. that has a taste for this brown algae? <<A Naso Tang is a good choice, if your system is large enough...else you might try a Salarias or Atrosalarias blenny species>> I haven't seen anything this specific on your site. <<Hmmm...I'm pretty sure both of these are mentioned somewhere...maybe for a different species of brown alga>> My goal is to crop out as much as I can by hand and then let the rest slowly die off from predation and lack of nutrients (when the skimmer is fixed). <<Sounds like a plan>> Thanks for the help! Tim Lobophora variegata Control - 4/26/07 Hello, <Hi Dan> I have a terrible outbreak in my 75 gal SPS tank of Lobophora variegata. <Ah yes, the dreaded 'brown wafer algae'.> I've been reading all of the e-mails on WWM about it, and there isn't a lot. I have read about a Naso tang, but my tank is a 75 gal, so I would have to get rid of him after a while. I also don't know if he would be able to even eat it all, seeing that it is growing very thick on every inch of my live rock <I wouldn't get the tang.> (I have a lot of live rock, and it has been a problem for about a year). Next I have read about urchins, I bought one and it doesn't touch the algae. It is a short spined, purple one, and that could be the problem. The huge long spined ones <Diadema sp> apparently take care of this algae, right?? <Supposedly, but there aren't any guarantees. In addition, they grow very quickly and tend to knock things around in your tank.> So... I figure I could get an urchin at the same time as the Naso, and hopefully they could wipe it out before they get too big.<I wouldn't go this route.> My next question is what does this algae eat? <Nutrients in the water.> I finally got my nitrates and phosphate down to zero <Good, a step in the right direction.>, and the stuff is growing just as strong or stronger than it always has. <Probably reading zero, not only from your efforts, but because you've got a large amount of algae in there aiding in the process. Continue to keep nutrients low through good export practices (and nutrient competition) and the Lobophora should start to decline. If I was in this situation, instead of purchasing animals that aren't guaranteed to eat the algae and might not be suitable for my tank, I'd prune/trim back as much of this nuisance algae as I could with tongs, tweezers, whatever it takes. It's painstaking and time consuming, but it would help. You don't mention a refugium. Obtaining and stocking one with a favorable macrophyte would be very useful in creating the nutrient competition I mentioned earlier.> Thanks a lot for any help, Dan Kowalski <You're welcome and good luck to you! --Lynn> Brown Algae control (need more info) 3/7/07 <Hi Fred. GrahamT here.> I recently set up a 55 gallon saltwater tank with 60 pounds of live sand, a Fluval 404 and about 20 pounds of Florida aquaculture live rock. Its only inhabitants are 2 3-stripe damsels, and a brown algae problem that will not go away. HELP !!!! <Would like to, but you didn't mention any test results, nor how long your system has been setup. I would assume this is new-tank-syndrome; i.e.., algae-bloom. It should subside after cycling. If I am correct in my assumption that you are still not fully cycled, you may be interested to know that the trade has moved away from using live animals to cycle new setups. ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marcyclefaqs.htm ) . Also of note, is my (personal, yes) disdain for using canister filtration on such a small system. Unless you plan to add a large amount of live rock, and use the canister empty and mostly for circulation, then I think you will be disappointed with it. -GrahamT> Fred Taylor Thank you for your reply. <Welcome.> And yes I do intend to get more Live Rock for the system. I would have to agree that the tank hasn't fully cycled. Again, thank you and I'll check back if I need to.. <Please do! Good luck, too! -GrahamT> Lobophora variegata 2/24/07 Hello, I have a 75 gal. SPS tank with a very bad outbreak of Lobophora variegata. I have lots of live rock, and the algae has covered it with many layers, to where there isn't much rock even showing. About every month i pull out as much as i can, but it never slows down. I finally got my nitrates and phosphates down to zero, because that is standard procedure with any algae, but no luck. What does this stuff eat?? <Mmm, what eats it you mean?> I have read on WWM about Naso tangs, and long spined urchins eating this stuff. Is there anything smaller that will do the trick. I would appreciate any help, or if you could tell me where else to look. Thank you, Dan Kowalski <None nearly as effective as these. I would work the continuing nutrient deprivation angle... and culture some purposeful competitor (likely a Red or Green macrophyte)... in a lighted sump... and deprive this algae of Iodine... Bob Fenner> Lobophora variegata 1/30/07 Hi I have just broken down a tank which had been overtaken by Lobophora variegata. I wish to re use the rock but do not have time to cook the rock or use chemical means. As I need to get all my livestock back into a stable system as soon as possible( it is being held temporarily through this tank change) the rock is now out of the aquarium and I am looking for a sure fire way of killing off this algae. We have very cold temps up here in the northeast right now and I was wondering if this tropical species could be killed by subjecting to the elements. <Very likely so> I realize these algaes can be pretty resilient and the last thing I want is the algae to go into a state of dormancy just to return down the road. do you think this would work or do you have any other idea's. TIA, Liam. <I would avail myself of a purposeful predator of this Phaeophyte... Please see WWM re.... Biological/Algae Eaters of Browns... Bob Fenner> Dictyota Algae Control 1/23/07 Crew, <Jeff> I've
been struggling with Dictyota in a 29 gallon for a while. It has
invaded every inch of the tank - as I mistakenly allowed it to spread
before I realized how invasive it is - and outcompetes my zoanthids
unless I dedicate a substantial amount of time to manual extraction.
I've been toying with the idea of adding a long-spined urchin. Is a
29 gallon (with roughly 30 lbs. of live rock and a 1/2" sand bed)
too small for a small long-spined urchin? If not, how long could I
house the urchin in the tank before it outgrew it? I'm pretty
confident I will have room for a large tank in 2-3 years. Thanks for
all your help and the website. <Jeff, rapid growth of this specie of
algae usually indicates a high nutrient level in the
water. When nutrient levels are low, they can be
out-competed by other species of algae (Caulerpa, etc) more suited to a
lesser nutrient content in the system. It may be difficult
to find an animal that eats this specie of algae as they contain some
very potent anti-predation chemicals. I don't believe an
urchin will help you here as most graze on hair algae. Do
read here and linked files above for more help on eliminating this
algae by means of nutrient control. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm I'd
consider a small hang-on refugium to propagate Caulerpa
algae. James (Salty Dog)> -Jeff
Scroll Algae Problem - 09/26/06 Hello, <<Howdy>> Ugly brown scroll algae is taking over my tank... does anything eat it? <<Hmm...if a Padina species it is rather calcareous...an urchin perhaps>> What should I do? <<Would be rather drastic, but you could remove the afflicted rocks and scrub with "fresh" water...or remove/replace the rock altogether>> Thank you, Dan Kowalski <<Regards, Eric Russell>> Lobophora control- I found the answer! Nasos 6/14/06 Hi Bob: <Paul> After 1 year of searching for the control of a serious outbreak of Lobophora <Brown Wafer Algae for browsers> I have finally found the answer. No it is not pulling out by hand (been there, done that) nor is it some exotic sea urchin (I've tried many different species). No, the answer is as simple as the common Naso Tang. <Heeee! I have some pix of "intertidal" Naso lituratus in Hawai'i... yes, with their heads out of the water, munching on "Limu" brown/Phaeophyte algae on the shoreline...> I read recently that someone had success with a Naso tang clearing out Lobophora within 1 month. It works! I purchased a blonde Naso Tang last week and he has not stopped working on the Lobophora since. I think the reason why many reefers are reluctant to try the Naso is for fear that if they don't do the job, they are stuck with a fish that will eventually get too big for their tank. I myself only have a 90 gal tank. I was willing to take the chance rather than see all my rock continue to me smothered with the Lobophora. There are plenty of small Naso Tangs on the market, you just have to look around and be patient until you find one that's not too big. I was lucky enough to find one around 3" from head to tail. I figure I will get a good year or so before he may have to relocate. I am confident that by that time, there won't be a piece of Lobophora in sight. In fact, in the past week he has cleared out about 25% of it and is working on the rest every day. By the way, he shares the 90 gal reef with a 4" Yellow Tang and a 2" Hippo Tang. I am sure you will have fun with that one! <Can be done... particularly where one or more is "occupied" as here> Neither of these tangs will touch the Lobophora. The Naso tang, which apparently has a diet that consists of mainly brown algae in the wild, loves this stuff. I hope you will post this email. <We post all> It may help out many frustrated reefers that are plagued with this algae. I have even seen some posts with reefers resorting to pulling out all there rock and scrubbing it. Good grief! Thanks again Bob for all your help on other issues throughout the years. <Thank you for sharing, writing so well. Cheers, Bob Fenner> Plant or Algae? I have attached a picture of some sort of plant or algae (I think its a plant) growing from my live rock in my 75 gallon tank. I have searched several places on the web and cannot identify the plant/algae. I have pulled a little of it out but it is very hard, like a plant and it just breaks off. <we use the term "plants" generically in popular aquarium literature but there are very few true plants. Most indeed are algae and that is what you have. Two species in the image here: the fan shaped specimen (right/bottom image) is Padina. The leafy species is not quite so clear but is likely another brown algae like the Padina and may very well be a Sargassum species. (regardless of color). The Padina you can leave alone... is not tough to maintain. The Sargassum or like "plant" is an incredibly fast grower and will need regular pruning. Still... they are both beautiful. You got some nice live rock> It is getting close to getting out of control and my yellow tank will not even look at it. <few herbivores for a small tank will> I was wondering if I should get something to eat it, or just pull the excess out. <trim regularly> It is growing in several different places in my tank and I don't want it to get any further out of hand. I just setup a 20 gallon refugium and was wondering if it would be a good addition to it? Yes! Very fine and much better than Caulerpa> Thanks in advance. <my pleasure, kindly Anthony Calfo> Brown Wafer Algae: Lobophora and like species I have on a couple of my LR some algae that look's exactly like the algae on this page: http://www.globaldialog.com/~jrice/algae_page/lobophora.htm It began to grow at the same time coralline started (aprox. 2 months back)... I was wondering if you 'aqua-maestros' have any idea (and I'm sure you do) on what this is and what steps should I take do get rid of it. My tank is 6 months old, all water param.s are ok, I use Kalkwasser for all evaporation and a RO unit... Thank you. <The "brown wafer algae" Lobophora is fast growing but not at all palatable to most herbivores. Some Diadema urchins will eat it, and if your tank is over 100 gallons, then a Naso tang may control it for you. Else, manual extraction is called for (Ughhh!... no fun). Best regards, Anthony>
Brown algae 2/8/03 Hey beer drinking buddies how is it hanging? <low and to the left... thanks for asking> I think I have some Lobophora variegata growing in my tank can't seem to rid myself of this algae nor have I seen it anywhere else besides my tank.... <actually rather common... this rubbery brown alga> nothing wants to eat it and when remove it grows back... <yep... that about sums it up <G>. Actually... urchins will graze it. Try a short-spine black urchin from Florida or a Pacific Tuxedo urchin (Mespilia)> I am going with a new skimmer trying to eradicate nutrients!... <a good idea, but not as immediately gratifying for control of this algae> any ideas on how to smoke this turkey??... <dry it well first... rolling papers versus bowl are your call> Or should I spend some time with some extra aggressive skimming? <oh, ya.... that too> thanks again I will tip one for you later <rock on my brother :) > PS Anthony I love the coral prop book. and I already have the invert book on order cant wait for the release <thanks kindly, my friend. Look forward to sharing a brew in the future. Best regards, Anthony> Scroll Algae (10/24/04) Dear WWM crew. <Steve Allen with you tonight.> All is mostly well thanks to you guys'¦ I still have one more algae problem and a water quality issue though! Algae problem: No more hair algae! Yea!!! Lots of Scroll algae! Boo! They were pretty when only a few 'scrolls' opened, but I have 4 other kinds of algae that are prettier that came with the live rock and this one is the second most aggressive. <Are you certain of your ID. Are you referring to the species Padina? I've not heard of this one being a problem. Some folks grow it on purpose.> The tang leaves these alone and only goes for the hair and Nori (on a clip). Are scroll algae considered nuisance algae? <As above, not generally.> Water quality issue: My pH is between 7.9 and 8.1 in my tank vs. 7.9 in freshly mixed salt water after 24 hours! <Are you using r/o water? Do you buffer it? Quality fresh-mixed saltwater usually had a pH of 8.2 or higher? Very strange if true? What is the pH before you add the saltwater?> I recalibrated my Hanna instruments pH meter twice and that's still the reading. <Do you have an LFS who can test for confirmation?> Hagen test kit gives me a KH of 130mg/L for freshly mixed salt water after 24 hours and 70mg/L for what's in my tank!<Something is eating up your buffer.><<Likely the profuse algal growth. RMF>> Very low--does not respond much to Kalkwasser or Seachem reef builder! <Again, strange. Can you think of what might be consuming this?> Don't know my nitrates because my test kit ran out and I'm waiting for my kit. It was <10ppm a month ago. <What about phosphate? Any phosphate will promote algae growth) Temp is between 78.5F and 80F. Salinity is 1.025. Calcium is between 380ppm and 400ppm and the same for both. I'm ready to do a 55% water change. Occupants show no sign of stress--includes feather dusters and cleaner shrimp and snails. Any comments or suggestions'¦. I know I overfeed, but my nitrates have never been high. <Check phosphates.> The LFS guys tell me they had a problem with their reef display until they replaced their 4' DSB with ¼ inch crushed coral. <Many folks are succeeding just fine with DSBs, though a little deeper than yours might be better. Is it aragonite?> Something about the sand under the live rock accumulating crap and getting mucky! <Should not be an issue if properly maintained. Do you have a cleaner crew to pick stuff off of the top of the sand before it can "sink in?"> My bed is 3-4.5 inches deep. The bubbles don't penetrate past the top 1' or so. Thanks! Narayan <Hope this helps.> Urchin saves the day - eating Dictyota 2/2/04 Hello again Anthony, I wanted to give you an update about our Dictyota problem. Our urchin is now eating it. :) <outstanding to hear. I do love those urchins> We could not be more happy to see the right upper half of the tank free from this plague. Slowly the little urchin is going to town on it. Mark took a picture of the urchin to the SeaBay meeting but he never got the chance to show it to you. <Awww... no worries. DO send it here if you like> We are now sure it must be a long spined urchin. I hope he keeps up eating the Dictyota. If it eats all of micro algae will it be happy to eat any coralline algae? We don't want it to starve. <hmmm... tough to say. If so, I don't think it will survive on it. Fortunately, they will scavenge food bits. Offer an algae based frozen food and likely it will be fine (2-3 times weekly) after the nuisance algae is gone> Sincerely, Clair & Mark Dawson <best regards, my friends. Anthony> - Kiss my Sargassum!!! ...or at least remove it - I am about 60 days into setting up a 55 gal reef tank. About half of my 85lbs. of live rock is completely covered with Sargassum algae. I am not particularly fond of its looks, and was wondering if I should try to remove it in order to grown corals later on. <In the mean time you can use it as a great nutrient export method by periodically removing large amounts of it. If you think it's ugly, then by all means, get it out!> If I remove it and encourage the coralline algae to grow and cover the rock surface, will it eventually prevent the Sargassum from returning? Thank you, Randy <Once it's all removed and hasn't grown back, I wouldn't expect it to return at a later date unless you reintroduce it. Good luck! -Kevin> Nuisance Dictyota Algae 1/7/03 Anthony- I hope it is OK
to write to you here. Amy told me it would be better to write to this
address with my question. If I messed up I do apologize. <no
worries my friend... very welcome to e-mail here or any addy I have
(readingtrees.com , yahoo.com, etc). Its nice here though as answers
can be shared/archived for the benefit of others. Very sorry for the
delay by the way... I left for the Colorado Rockies on Friday when you
e-mailed and just got back> I have a question about a Dictyota
problem we are having. <Arghhh! Can be pretty to look at, but
becomes a nuisance> Some back round about my tank as follows:
125 gallon, 2X250 watt radium's. Euro-reef skimmer and a 45 gallon
refugium. Ammonia nitrite nitrate all test zero and our ph is 8.2
during the day 8.0 at night. Alk 11dkh and CA 375. We keep the temp at
81 degrees. A 4" DSB and 140 pounds of live rock. We have a
mixed reef that I know you will not like to hear about. Sorry about
that. <heehee... no worries. Just try to focus/group better
animals (more natural/biotopic or akin/"amiable" species)
when possible> We get preached about it all of time but I am
not going to change it no matter what my husband or Amy tells me.
Sorry. You can chew me out if we meet soon. <you are safe :)
> About the Dictyota. It has spread all over the rocks. We
pull it out daily and mess with the skimmer so that we can get a least
1/2 cup of dark stuff each day. We have tried every animal we can think
of to eat this and nothing has. <indeed... it can be highly
invasive, is noxious and not readily controlled by herbivores>
A Longspined urchin was put in two weeks ago with the hope of it eating
the Dictyota but it only eats the coralline. Do you have any
suggestions? <hmmm... odd. Diadema urchins are one of the few
that are likely to control it. They are also one of the least likely
urchins to eat coralline. De send a pic or recheck the ID of your
urchin. I wonder if its a Diadema?> We are afraid for our LPS
after reading about this algae in your new book. <being an
educated consumer gives you the freedom to shop anywhere... including
the less knowledgeable places. Great stuff to be found even there (and
often so) as long as you have done your homework. Don't give up on
that LFS just yet :) > Thank you for any advice you can give.
I hope my husband and I can meet you at the SeaBay club this month.
Kindly Clair <outstanding!... be seeing you soon :)
Anthony> Cladophora prolifera predation/control Hi all could u tell me is there anyway I can get rid of Cladophora prolifera algae and is there any inverts that will eat this stuff. It is starting to get out of control <This algae is consumed by various invertebrate groups and fishes: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=cladophora+predators Bob Fenner> Nuisance Algae Counterattack! I figured out what the nuisance algae is. it is Lobophora, the brown algae. I found it on your site finally. Knowing this now, what is the best way to control this?? <A "tough" algae like this will require a more aggressive grazer, such as a Long-Spined Urchin, IMO. Yes, you'll need to watch out for potential collateral damage that these animals can cause, but the combination of dedicated grazers and continued attention to nutrient export should do the trick in time. Good luck! Regards, Scott F> Lobophora (Brown Wafer Algae) Eating Urchins Trying not to bother you guys, but time to go to the experts. <MikeD here and not an expert, but a long time urchin aficionado> 75G FOWLR DAS H99 in-tank sump/skimmer Lights - 2x40W NO (today replaced 9 month old 50/50, and 11 month old full spectrum with Coralife 50/50 and 10000K)<It was time> NO2/NO3 0.0 pH 8.1 Believe I have the nutrients under control, using RO/DI and have a good size patch of Halimeda that I crop.<Sounds good> Lobophora is taking over my tank. After agonizing over what urchin to get, settled on a Blue Tuxedo after seeing a monster size Long Spine. Well, after watching the Blue Tux eat coralline for a week and going out of it's way to not even touch the Lobophora, it's now decided to spite me by packing around pieces of it.<It's not spiting you, but rather, like many short-spined urchins, camouflaging itself to escape notice of fish predators, such as triggerfish.> Talked to the LFS and they are willing to exchange for a Diadema. Diadema questions: -how realistic a Diadema will eat Lobophora?<It depends on whether it is obtainable or growing on irregular surfaces that the urchin can't easily adhere to. Flat, open surfaces will almost always be preferentially grazed due to the ease with which the tube feet can hang on. Many will learn to go to the surface of the water to be hand fed, should you so desire.> -they're ~5" diameter now, how big, how fast?<This depends upon available food within reach, the type of food and the water chemistry. Urchins were long used as "miner's canaries" to monitor water parameters before the advent of cheap, easy, reliable test kits, proceeding to shed their spines as water conditions deteriorate long before most fish show adverse reactions.> -how does a Long Spine's appetite for coralline compare to a Blue Tux?<Again, it depends upon what's easiest to reach, although if it helps any, the Long Spine's aren't usually camouflagers.> -can they be exposed to air (transferring to quarantine)? For short periods. The waste discharge hole (anus) in the top usually prevents trapped air bubbles.> -if the Long Spines a bust, how do I handle the Lobophora?< Pruning with tweezers and shears is what I usually resort to. Foxfaces will usually remove ALL vegetation to an extent that makes most tangs look like carnivores.> Mark in snowy Edmonton, Alberta,<Brrrrrrrr> Dictyota Hi Crew <Joe> I am at the verge of tossing all my live rock in the trash. I have had a Dictyota outbreak in my 90 gal for a while now. I bought a small Naso that wiped it out but as we know the Naso was too big and now resides in a 200 gal. I have an ev120 skimmer and a 30 gal sump with macros growing. I do 10/15 gal water changes weekly with 0 TDS. I don't know what to do. <Re?> Joe Culler, <You could kill off this brown algae by placing your LR in the dark for a few weeks... Bob Fenner> Lobophora variegata control 9/28/05 Hi Bob:
Lobophora variegata slowly but surely getting out of hand in my 90 gal-
one year old reef. I am surprised that I cannot find much info on how
to control it or better yet, eradicate it. Very little info,
including on WWM. I read some comments on the addition of
urchins but nothing concrete. Can you make any specific
suggestion? Manual removal has been nearly impossible.
Thanks. Paul M <Manual removal is the preferred route to go... look
into some long tongs, scissors, siphon... Bob Fenner>
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