Brown Wafer Algae and Sally Light Foots

ciachef · 12/30/2009, 03:47 PM

I've been struggling trying to get rid of brown wafer algae (lobophora sp.) that will seemingly take over my tank. It started as a small patch and is now popping up everywhere and starting to cover some zoo colonies. I understand Naso tangs love the stuff but my tank is far too small to support one. I've also read Sally Light foots sometimes eat the stuff. Has anybody had experience with this? I also dont want to risk putting in a SLF and having it go after any fish.

Other than that I dont know what to do. Manual removal seems trivial as it keeps growing back.

luther1200 · 12/30/2009, 06:51 PM

I put 3 in my 65 and they wiped it out. I had ait pretty bad, then I started using BRS HC GFO and it started to die off significantly. But there was still patches all over. So I got 3 SLF and they ate it all pretty fast. I only have 1 left and I haven't had a problem with him. IMO they are the only way to go to get rid of the stuff in a tank to small for a Naso like mine was.

ciachef · 12/31/2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks luther. Looks like that's the route I'm going to go then. Do you think a single crab in a 36 gallon tank would do the job. The infestation is moderate I'd say.

Frick-n-Frags · 12/31/2009, 10:53 AM

bummer...tell that to the "oh, it is cute, it's only a couple wafers" folks that don't take it seriously

best of luck with pest control.

ciachef · 12/31/2009, 10:58 AM

Yeah, tell me about it. At first I didnt think anything of it until weeks went by and the stuff starting popping up on other rocks. It was only then I came here to find out what the hell it was. If I had only visited sooner this could have been much easier. Silly me.

Frick-n-Frags · 12/31/2009, 11:05 AM

that's the problem. those cute macros brew up enough mass then spore the whole tank..then it's off to the races when a whole bunch appear like magic

12/30/2009, 03:47 PM	#1
ciachef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stratford, CT Posts: 301	Brown Wafer Algae and Sally Light Foots I've been struggling trying to get rid of brown wafer algae (lobophora sp.) that will seemingly take over my tank. It started as a small patch and is now popping up everywhere and starting to cover some zoo colonies. I understand Naso tangs love the stuff but my tank is far too small to support one. I've also read Sally Light foots sometimes eat the stuff. Has anybody had experience with this? I also dont want to risk putting in a SLF and having it go after any fish. Other than that I dont know what to do. Manual removal seems trivial as it keeps growing back.

12/30/2009, 06:51 PM	#2
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I put 3 in my 65 and they wiped it out. I had ait pretty bad, then I started using BRS HC GFO and it started to die off significantly. But there was still patches all over. So I got 3 SLF and they ate it all pretty fast. I only have 1 left and I haven't had a problem with him. IMO they are the only way to go to get rid of the stuff in a tank to small for a Naso like mine was. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

12/31/2009, 10:53 AM	#4
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	bummer...tell that to the "oh, it is cute, it's only a couple wafers" folks that don't take it seriously best of luck with pest control. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/31/2009, 11:05 AM	#6
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	that's the problem. those cute macros brew up enough mass then spore the whole tank..then it's off to the races when a whole bunch appear like magic __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/31/2009, 10:19 AM	#3
ciachef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stratford, CT Posts: 301	Thanks luther. Looks like that's the route I'm going to go then. Do you think a single crab in a 36 gallon tank would do the job. The infestation is moderate I'd say.

12/31/2009, 10:58 AM	#5
ciachef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stratford, CT Posts: 301	Yeah, tell me about it. At first I didnt think anything of it until weeks went by and the stuff starting popping up on other rocks. It was only then I came here to find out what the hell it was. If I had only visited sooner this could have been much easier. Silly me.