Bryopsis algae has overtaken my tank!

[Jenemone]

I posted a question a month or so ago about this same subject. I have increased skimming and raised my alk.

My tank is now over 90% covered with bryopsis. It is growing on my leather coral, covering the substrate, and has even sprouted on my turbo grazers.

I keep a phos-zorb bag in my filter and change it every five weeks. So obviously, phosphate is not what is causing it to grow. I don't have problems with other kinds of algae.

I need some serious help! I have plucked and scrubbed with a toothbrush, but I haven't been able to beat this stuff, and it is still getting worse. I am ready to throw in the towel!!!!

Can someone please tell me what it needs in order to spread like this? I need to know what is in my system that has allowed it to explode like this. And what I should do next.

 

[Jenemone]

I don't have a DSB in this particular tank because a friend gave me everything they had when they switched to discus. That included crushed coral (it was my first tank - I'll never use it again!).

I used to lightly vacuum the substrate, but had decided that I could be doing more harm than good. Now, I am thinking that it may not be such a bad idea, as it would remove some of the detritus.

I use a prizm skimmer, and I cranked it up higher than usual hoping it would do some good. No luck yet.

 

[SPC]

Jenn, if it were me the first thing I would do is vacuum the heck out of the CC. I have a Hot Magnum filter that has a vacuum attachment and it does an excellent job. If you use the micron cartridge you will have to clean it alot during the vacuum process but nothing will make it back into the tank.
I would next try to remove all the Bryopsis and do a 25% water change for 2 days.
I am of the opinion that this crap needs very little to survive. Does anyone know if Bryopsis derives some of its nutrients from its attachment point? I ask this because I have wondered if it can survive on this alone and maybe does not need nutrients in the water column.
I would then get some kind of caulerpa in the sump or main tank.
Steve

 

[Carpentersreef]

Jenny,
Don't throw in the towel. I'm in the same boat as you are. I've got phosphate absorber, silicon absorber and carbon going. I've also shut off my CA reactor in case that I was over running it and putting too much CO2 in the system. What's your DSB situation? I'm looking at that and the detritus under my LR as a potential problem.

Mitch