Bryopsis Algae Control.

[B1N4RY]

It looks like the reef keeping gods have decided to test me with as many of the most common problems in starting a marine reef aquarium as possible. Now although I purchase Nutri-SeaWater as my already mixed saltwater I don't have an RO/DI unit (I just purchased one and I am waiting for it to be delivered) so my top off water for evaporation has been coming from my Poland Spring Water Dispenser. No I know bad me for not using RO/DI water from the start but it is what it is. So, this has contributed to a big Bryopsis Algae bloom in my aquarium. Although as pretty as it looked swaying back and forth in the aquarium I did notice how rapidly it was spreading on the rock. So I looked for the most natural solution possible, while avoiding solutions such as raising magnesium levels to extremely high levels. I think some of the many mistakes we make in this hobby, and I am by no means excluded from this is that we look to quick remedies to get fast results for issues in the aquarium. I am trying desperately to avoid this.

 

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I did some research online and found that other hobbyist have had success in naturally removing the Bryopsis Algae using Mexican Turbo Snails and Lettuce Nudibranch. So I headed to Maximum Reef Aquatics in Yonkers, New York and they just happen to have some of the most beautiful looking Lettuce Nudibranchs and some almost gold ball sized Mexican Turbo Snails. So I purchased them and off I went with my solution in hand. After a drip acclimation period of about 1 hour for each species I placed them in my aquarium and they all went to work. It has been three days since I introduced them into my aquarium and 50% of the Bryopsis is gone. At this rate I will have to start supplementing their diet with Algae sheets by the end of the week.

 

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[brandon429]

that is excellent anytime someone can get a grazer to work instead of chem treatments you have to go for it

[heifinator]

By the same regards as what you said though, it probably would have been avoided if RO/DI was used, which wasn't I'm assuming because of time or money reasons, both of which fall under your "fast results" I made the same mistake when I started, cost me a lot of headache and I should have just waited one more paycheck to fill the tank =)

 

Glad you found a byprosis lover.

[Islandoftiki]

I've been wanting to get some lettuce nudis, but nobody seems to be able to get them in my area. I've also been told that they often fall prey to powerheads. How are yours holding up?

[patback]

I've been wanting to get some lettuce nudis, but nobody seems to be able to get them in my area. I've also been told that they often fall prey to powerheads. How are yours holding up?

They seem to actually go straight for powerheads sometimes. Mine was rescued twice from my mp10 and then disapeared one day.

[B1N4RY]

By the same regards as what you said though, it probably would have been avoided if RO/DI was used, which wasn't I'm assuming because of time or money reasons, both of which fall under your "fast results" I made the same mistake when I started, cost me a lot of headache and I should have just waited one more paycheck to fill the tank =)

 

Glad you found a byprosis lover.

 

This was more about having the space for the RO/DI unit. I already had a Poland Spring water dispenser and thought I would hold off until I got my wife some additional space for her stainless steel cookware. Which I have managed to do so I placed an order for the RO/DI unit and it should be arriving some time this week or early next week.

 

I've been wanting to get some lettuce nudis, but nobody seems to be able to get them in my area. I've also been told that they often fall prey to powerheads. How are yours holding up?

 

Mine are holding up quite well. I only have a single EcoTech Marine Vortech MP10 ES pump currently running in my system and it does not use the foam guard. However, all my nudibranchs manage to crawl around it somehow not getting pulled it. That is really my only concern with them in this system.

[B1N4RY]

So it has been a few weeks since I have had some time to update everyone on my Bryopsis Algae issues that popped in up about 3 weeks ago. But I am happy to report that within a week of adding my team of three Mexican Turbo Snails and two Lettuce Nudibrachs their is no trace of the Bryopsis Algae at all and I have had to start supplementing my cleanup crews diet with dried seaweed sheets almost nightly because their appetite is so voracious. But I would rather than then further algae problems.

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Bryiopsis algae issue which begin approximately 3 weeks ago in my aquarium.


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A Mexican Turbo Snail eating some of the bryopsis algae within my aquarium.


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A Lettuce Nudibranch eating some of the bryopsis algae within my aquarium.


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Bryiopsis algae issue 3 days after introducing the three Mexican Turbo Snail and two Lettuce Nudibranchs into my aquarium.


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My aquarium with no visible sight of Bryopsis Algae after 1 week of introduction of the three Mexican Turbo Snails and two Lettuce Nudibranchs.


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One of the Mexican Turbo Snails within my aquarium enjoying a sheet of dried seaweed as its supplemental diet.

[justin carnecchia]

Congrats on getting the bryopsis under control. I am facing a similar situation, and want to avoid the tech-m if possible. I am curious how the turbo snails are doing with eating it? I seriously doubt my lfs will have lettuce slugs, but I think they probably do have the snails.

[B1N4RY]

Congrats on getting the bryopsis under control. I am facing a similar situation, and want to avoid the tech-m if possible. I am curious how the turbo snails are doing with eating it? I seriously doubt my lfs will have lettuce slugs, but I think they probably do have the snails.

 

The Mexican Turbo Snails are the primary reason its gone so fast. The Lettuce Nudibranchs ate it but not at the speed that the Mexican Turbo Snails did.

[justin carnecchia]

_{That's good news. Now I just have to get my but in the car and make the two hour drive to my LFS.}

_Thanks

[lokipsl]

Congratulations on winning that battle!!! The tank is looking good.

[B1N4RY]

_{That's good news. Now I just have to get my but in the car and make the two hour drive to my LFS.}

_Thanks

 

Good Luck!.

 

Congratulations on winning that battle!!! The tank is looking good.

 

Thank you!

[Buggy27]

I had a massive outbreak of Bryopsis in my tank and thanks too this thread it is now gone. One turbo snail and a week later all bryopsis was eliminated.