dictyota algae problem Help!!

sps1206 · 07/19/2009, 10:36 PM

On about four or five of the baserocks in my 29 gallon tank are slowly being covered by dictyota algae. I cannot siphon it out with a strong suction because it plates along the rocks. The algae is slowly getting out of hand. I do regular water changes and my parameters are in check. I tried using tweezers, but it seemed to just break off little pieces, aiding the infestation. Any suggestions would help!!!

lobsterotomy · 07/19/2009, 11:40 PM

Emerald crab, run GFO. Bam, gone.

sps1206 · 07/20/2009, 07:44 AM

I will look into that, thanks. Any other suggestions?

Opes · 07/20/2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lobsterotomy
Emerald crab, run GFO. Bam, gone.

Not always the case. I run a very low nutrient SPS tank with a monster skimmer and high capacity GFO. I also have Emerald Crabs yet my infestation continues.

I'm about to solve it with a Naso.

Logzor · 07/20/2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lobsterotomy
Emerald crab, run GFO. Bam, gone.

It is absolutely not this easy.

If you have not gotten things settled I would just take out the rocks and suffocate them in the dark for a month. Seriously.

sps1206 · 07/20/2009, 01:48 PM

Yeah, doesn't seem like an emerald crab is the solution. The first probelm is that the tank is only 29 gallons, so a tang is not an option. I've also read that tangs do not like to eat this stuff... The second problem is the tank is well established, with several sps corals ecrusting about the rockwork. It would be impossible to take the rocks out without basically starting my system over.
I've tried to manually remove it, but it is just like pulling a weed from the ground without getting the roots, it does not solve the problem...

Logzor · 07/20/2009, 02:41 PM

I have had success using Marine Algaefix. I have a ton of high end sps in my system and other LE corals and saw no major or long term problems.

Since the fish you need is too large for your system using this product may be a very good option for you.

Before administering review the algaefix marine thread in the reef chemistry forum. You may have to do a bit of digging.

Good luck against this nasty pest.

kwws · 07/20/2009, 02:43 PM

Here is a link to the Marine Algaefix thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1595003

sps1206 · 07/20/2009, 10:55 PM

The Algaefix seems like it may be a solution. The only thing I am wondering is if it will be able to rid my tank of dictyota. It has been tested to successfully remove green, red and brown algaes, but would it be able to remove dictyota?

Stuart60611 · 07/21/2009, 10:00 AM

Please take my suggestion at your own risk. I have had a major hair algae (debersia)/dictoya algae problem. For over 1 year, I had no algae problems. My algae problems all started when my skimmer broke two days after I added three small lps frags to my fowlr (not a fowlr anymore). I then bought a replacement skimmer which was undersized. I then got another skimmer which is working out well. Meanwhile, my tank was not being skimmed properly for several weeks and the algae went everywhere. My problem was extremely severe in which I had very thick algae covering every inch of every rock and surface in the tank, including powerheads and the back wall. I then through carbon dosing and bacteria dosing and aggressive water changes got my nutrients extremely low, however, the algae persisted. I then turned to algaefix and started out using algaefix with the prescribed dosage and frequency, and it seemed to stop the algae from growing further but not really eliminating it. I did 8 doses per the package instructions, but the algae did not really die off. Out of frustration, I decided to up the dose and frequency. I have now dosed every other day (instead of every 3 days) three times the prescribed dose. I am at my 6th dose at this level, and my fish have shown no signs of stress, and my three lps corals are doing great. The algae is now definitely dying off.

As such, if you are in a desparate situation and algaefix does not seem to be workiing well, you may want to take the risk of increasing the dose and frequency of dosing rather than break down the system. It seems to be working for me. Much of my algae is gone, and my phosphates and nitrate remain at low levels through the continuation of carbon/bacteria dosing and the algae is not growing back. However, you have to first get your nitrate and phosphate under control otherwise the algae will grow back even after dosing algaefix.

sps1206 · 07/21/2009, 01:06 PM

Well, I think I may give Algaefix a try, it seems like it may be my only option. I'll start by using per the instructions and I will up the dosage if neccessary, thanks Stuart for the advice.

07/19/2009, 10:36 PM	#1
sps1206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 56	dictyota algae problem Help!! On about four or five of the baserocks in my 29 gallon tank are slowly being covered by dictyota algae. I cannot siphon it out with a strong suction because it plates along the rocks. The algae is slowly getting out of hand. I do regular water changes and my parameters are in check. I tried using tweezers, but it seemed to just break off little pieces, aiding the infestation. Any suggestions would help!!!

07/20/2009, 02:43 PM	#8
kwws Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 105	Here is a link to the Marine Algaefix thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1595003 __________________ Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn...... Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 72 gal bowfront mixed

07/19/2009, 11:40 PM	#2
lobsterotomy I'd frag it. Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 308	Emerald crab, run GFO. Bam, gone.

07/20/2009, 07:44 AM	#3
sps1206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 56	I will look into that, thanks. Any other suggestions?

07/20/2009, 01:48 PM	#6
sps1206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 56	Yeah, doesn't seem like an emerald crab is the solution. The first probelm is that the tank is only 29 gallons, so a tang is not an option. I've also read that tangs do not like to eat this stuff... The second problem is the tank is well established, with several sps corals ecrusting about the rockwork. It would be impossible to take the rocks out without basically starting my system over. I've tried to manually remove it, but it is just like pulling a weed from the ground without getting the roots, it does not solve the problem...

07/20/2009, 02:41 PM	#7
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	I have had success using Marine Algaefix. I have a ton of high end sps in my system and other LE corals and saw no major or long term problems. Since the fish you need is too large for your system using this product may be a very good option for you. Before administering review the algaefix marine thread in the reef chemistry forum. You may have to do a bit of digging. Good luck against this nasty pest.

07/20/2009, 10:55 PM	#9
sps1206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 56	The Algaefix seems like it may be a solution. The only thing I am wondering is if it will be able to rid my tank of dictyota. It has been tested to successfully remove green, red and brown algaes, but would it be able to remove dictyota?

07/21/2009, 10:00 AM	#10
Stuart60611 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,979	Please take my suggestion at your own risk. I have had a major hair algae (debersia)/dictoya algae problem. For over 1 year, I had no algae problems. My algae problems all started when my skimmer broke two days after I added three small lps frags to my fowlr (not a fowlr anymore). I then bought a replacement skimmer which was undersized. I then got another skimmer which is working out well. Meanwhile, my tank was not being skimmed properly for several weeks and the algae went everywhere. My problem was extremely severe in which I had very thick algae covering every inch of every rock and surface in the tank, including powerheads and the back wall. I then through carbon dosing and bacteria dosing and aggressive water changes got my nutrients extremely low, however, the algae persisted. I then turned to algaefix and started out using algaefix with the prescribed dosage and frequency, and it seemed to stop the algae from growing further but not really eliminating it. I did 8 doses per the package instructions, but the algae did not really die off. Out of frustration, I decided to up the dose and frequency. I have now dosed every other day (instead of every 3 days) three times the prescribed dose. I am at my 6th dose at this level, and my fish have shown no signs of stress, and my three lps corals are doing great. The algae is now definitely dying off. As such, if you are in a desparate situation and algaefix does not seem to be workiing well, you may want to take the risk of increasing the dose and frequency of dosing rather than break down the system. It seems to be working for me. Much of my algae is gone, and my phosphates and nitrate remain at low levels through the continuation of carbon/bacteria dosing and the algae is not growing back. However, you have to first get your nitrate and phosphate under control otherwise the algae will grow back even after dosing algaefix.

07/21/2009, 01:06 PM	#11
sps1206 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 56	Well, I think I may give Algaefix a try, it seems like it may be my only option. I'll start by using per the instructions and I will up the dosage if neccessary, thanks Stuart for the advice.