Start over with LR?

seeingred · 03/13/2008, 10:39 AM

In late August I set up a 22g cadlights nano tank. I ordered 20 lbs. of Live Rock from eBay and used it to cycle the tank. I have always used RO/DI water for top off and water changes. I currently have one clownfish and one small blue damsel, along with a few zoa and ricordea frags. The tank gets fed once every 2 to 3 days.

All livestock seems to be healthy but I have been battling what appears to be bryopsis. It is stiffer than hair algae and is firmly attached to the rock. I run a fuge with chaeto lit 24/7, and have an Octopus HOB skimmer, but can't seem to beat this stuff.

My params are:

Temp: 79-81
ph: 8.3
SG: 1.026
amm: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: undetectable
PO4: undetectable

My question is this: Should I continue to look for the source of this problem, which I can't seem to find, or should I just buy new Live Rock and start over? Any help would be appreciated.

Pete

grimreefer01 · 03/13/2008, 10:44 AM

there are creatures that will eat bryopsis.. get yourself a lettuce nudibranch

it worked for me when i had it at one point.. and i dont know of much else that eats the stuff.. worse part about that bryopsis is the roots that entangle around and through the rock like leaches on a warm body.. its a tough battle, but get yourself a lettuce nudi and it will do nothing but help with the bryposis..

grimreefer01 · 03/13/2008, 10:47 AM

and if all else fails, remove rock from tank and get yourself some clorox..

kevin2000 · 03/13/2008, 11:19 AM

Nutrient control is a must ... however removing and "scrubbing" the rocks in a bucket of SW will help ... if bad enough you may consider placing the rocks in rubbermaid container of SW with a heater/powerhead placing a top on the container to keep it completely dark. Overtime light deprivation should kill any algae on the rock.

Nuking the live rock is a last resort ... you end up with base rock.

03/13/2008, 10:39 AM	#1
seeingred Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 87	Start over with LR? In late August I set up a 22g cadlights nano tank. I ordered 20 lbs. of Live Rock from eBay and used it to cycle the tank. I have always used RO/DI water for top off and water changes. I currently have one clownfish and one small blue damsel, along with a few zoa and ricordea frags. The tank gets fed once every 2 to 3 days. All livestock seems to be healthy but I have been battling what appears to be bryopsis. It is stiffer than hair algae and is firmly attached to the rock. I run a fuge with chaeto lit 24/7, and have an Octopus HOB skimmer, but can't seem to beat this stuff. My params are: Temp: 79-81 ph: 8.3 SG: 1.026 amm: 0 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: undetectable PO4: undetectable My question is this: Should I continue to look for the source of this problem, which I can't seem to find, or should I just buy new Live Rock and start over? Any help would be appreciated. Pete __________________ "The weather is here, wish you were beautiful" - Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 30 g shallow rimless BB with 20 g sump, Octopus NW 110 skimmer, Current USA Outer Orbit 250 W plus 4 X 24 W t5 lighting, Ocean Runner 3500 return, Tunze Nano-stream, ATO, zoanthid setup

03/13/2008, 10:44 AM	#2
grimreefer01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Eastern Michigan Posts: 138	there are creatures that will eat bryopsis.. get yourself a lettuce nudibranch it worked for me when i had it at one point.. and i dont know of much else that eats the stuff.. worse part about that bryopsis is the roots that entangle around and through the rock like leaches on a warm body.. its a tough battle, but get yourself a lettuce nudi and it will do nothing but help with the bryposis..

03/13/2008, 10:47 AM	#3
grimreefer01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Eastern Michigan Posts: 138	and if all else fails, remove rock from tank and get yourself some clorox..

03/13/2008, 11:19 AM	#4
kevin2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,805	Nutrient control is a must ... however removing and "scrubbing" the rocks in a bucket of SW will help ... if bad enough you may consider placing the rocks in rubbermaid container of SW with a heater/powerhead placing a top on the container to keep it completely dark. Overtime light deprivation should kill any algae on the rock. Nuking the live rock is a last resort ... you end up with base rock.