Bryopsis control

[Hiren]

Originally Posted by jenglish

I have heard from some that it is not actually the mag but an impurity in Kent that does it and by maintaining those levels w/ kent you kill it. I got behind on the project and just recently ordered the Kent mag, and a salifert mag test and have not yet recieved them. when I start dosing I will tell you all the results.

After my tank finished its initial cycle I had a horrible outbreak of bryopsis. I also raised the magnesium levels in my tank, using Kent M, and had positive results. I did not notice any negative side effects from the treatment.

I would stress that you raise the levels gradually - don't just dump in a bottle of Kent M. I would think that sudden spike in mag levels could be catastrophic.

I also upped the number of snails in my cleanup crew and introduces some mithrax (emerald) crabs at the same time. I was going to do that anyways though.

My tank is completely free of bryopsis in the display area now, and has been for months. There "may" be some growing in the overflow compartment but to be honest, I really don't care. I'm fine with my overflow box serving as a refugium/settling area. Out of site, out of mind. Not to mention I'm sure the algae growth sucks up excess nutrients and may be keeping other nuisance algae growth in check as well.

[jenglish]

Now that I have my Kent Mag and my salifert test kit I can't remember how high I am supposed to raise my mag. Do I need to raise my Alk and Ca levels as well? I know bad things can happen from to high of Ca w/o Mg, is the reverse true?

[jenglish]

Seems like maybe it was cererobbins that was keeping his at 1600 ppm to treat a tank if I remember right. I'm sure I can't jump to that number overnight and be ok.

[aquawolf]

I think 1600 was the magic number. You are also right about wanting to bring it up slowly. I do not know what adjustments, if any, would be needed for the calc and alk at that point though.

[jenglish]

Its been a couple of weeks and I haven't re-added mag since I did my w/c. Salifert kits only measure to 1500 ppm and so I am maintaining it at that level rather than 1600. I don't want to try to guess 100 ppm difference. The bryopsis has drastically receded and cyano has surged up taking advantage of w/e nutrients the bryopsis was holding. I have been removing it manually by clearing it with a turkey baster and using a mechanical filter for an hour or so.

[aquawolf]

Glad to hear the bryopsis is in decline for you.

[The Propagator]

Hello all,
The major issue with Bryopsis that I think has been over looked here as to why we want to erradicate Bryopsis is that it releases poison into your tank. you can no tus eit as an algea scrubber. It will only further polute and seed the tank. The only way to rid it is by changing the local evironment Like already suggested.
But please keep in mind that any bryopsis in your system is a potential time bomb waiting to resead your tank and poison your water again.
I highly suggest removing any from over flows, and sumps asap during treatment.