Cladophoropsis algae issues

[Chameleon]

Hey yall
I recently had a breakout of what I believe to be cladophoropsis algae in my tank. I am posting here because the tank is a sps tank following general params for sps with much success. This algae is not affected by low nutrients as my phos is .02 (hanna) and nitrates are about 1-2ppm by design. I was running an ULNS but noticed colors were turning a bit paler than I liked so I backed off on nutrient export. The algae I believe is some kind of macro. It basically looks like chaeto or a scruffy beard, but holds fast to rock. Its only in the top of rockwork. Anyone have any ideas how to get rid of it? From my reading the only thing I have seen that would successfully work is a few urchins, but I really dont want urchins in my tank. Trust me when I say lowering nutrients wont help. From my readings it is often cause by low alk, and I was running my alk at 7.4 for a while while running ULNS. I am slowly bringing my alk up right now its about 8.5 with a target of 9-9.5. I am hoping that will help but now that the algae has a foothold I'm not sure. Let me know your thoughts? Can any other macros out compete this stuff? I have caulerpa and chaeto in the sump in a refuge.
Thanks!

 

[Chameleon]

bump

 

[NanaReefer]

Try raising your mag using Kent Tech M?

 

[Chameleon]

Try raising your mag using Kent Tech M?

do you think that will work? I've seen it work for bryopsis, but never seen anyone try with cladophoropsis

 

[Big E]

Take the rock out & either scrub or pull out the algae...........rinse the area off to remove any particles. Then hit it with some H. peroxide. use a small piece of paper towel over the algae & then wet it down good with an eye dropper...........that will keep the liquid mainly on that area. After 5 minutes rinse the area off with saltwater before putting the rock back in the tank.

 

[Chameleon]

Take the rock out & either scrub or pull out the algae...........rinse the area off to remove any particles. Then hit it with some H. peroxide. use a small piece of paper towel over the algae & then wet it down good with an eye dropper...........that will keep the liquid mainly on that area. After 5 minutes rinse the area off with saltwater before putting the rock back in the tank.

I was thinking about something along these lines. I do have several large acros and other corals nice and encrusted on a few of the affected rocks. Should I just snip them off leaving the base behind? I dont know how I will be able to get them to encrust again because they dont get much light at the base anymore. I guess if I have to do it though I have to do it.

 

[Ike]

What size tank are we talking and have you tried any other grazers. Rabbitfishes and Zebrasoma tangs will often eat some otherwise unpalatable algaes.

I don't think you're going to be able to outcompete it since, though heavy coralline grown may help prevent it from taking root elsewhere. Some pics would also probably help evaluate the situation. I've had what I think you're describing and have been able to uproot it and it rarely came back after a little pruning and the use of grazers.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

If its turf algae, I had 3 mexican turbo snails devour my red turf algae in a couple of days. Tangs pick at it but the snails actually clean the rock so you can't see it at all. As long as I have one in the tank I don't see much of it at all.

 

[Chameleon]

hmmm mexican turbos you say...i dont know if its considered turf but I did try astrea to no avail...maybe I can find some mexican turbos...worth a shot. I've actually tried a urchin so far. getting desperate

 

[Big E]

I was thinking about something along these lines. I do have several large acros and other corals nice and encrusted on a few of the affected rocks. Should I just snip them off leaving the base behind? I dont know how I will be able to get them to encrust again because they dont get much light at the base anymore. I guess if I have to do it though I have to do it.

Just take the rock out acros & all. You just spot treat where the algae is. How infested is your tank? Your original post said just some top areas.

Siganus doliatus is the best algae eater I know of if you want to go that route.

Scribbled Rabbitfish, Two Barred Rabbitfish - Siganus doliatus

 

[Chameleon]

What size tank are we talking and have you tried any other grazers. Rabbitfishes and Zebrasoma tangs will often eat some otherwise unpalatable algaes.

I don't think you're going to be able to outcompete it since, though heavy coralline grown may help prevent it from taking root elsewhere. Some pics would also probably help evaluate the situation. I've had what I think you're describing and have been able to uproot it and it rarely came back after a little pruning and the use of grazers.

not sure uprooting is an option as it always breaks off before the base comes with it. After manual pruning it looks like I gave the rocks a buzz cut...
pics to come

 

[Chameleon]

58 gallon tank...its still only on uppermost rocks, but its getting pretty thick

 

[Chameleon]

pics...

 

[Chameleon]

If its turf algae, I had 3 mexican turbo snails devour my red turf algae in a couple of days. Tangs pick at it but the snails actually clean the rock so you can't see it at all. As long as I have one in the tank I don't see much of it at all.

Mexican Turbos were introduced today. We will see how they do. A little concerned because I have elevated Mg atm trying the brightwell. didn't seem to work so I am going to water change it out and try again with kent tech M over the next few weeks. I know elevated Mg can cause issues with snails so I hope mine pull through...

 

[rizon25]

I think I have the same algae. Mexican turbos did the trick for me. I do have some patches that the turbos haven't touched yet so I went and bought the algae mower.

Algae mower:

Algae before mower pic:

Algae after mower pic: ( I didn't clean all the algae, just part of it)

I think it's a good tool to have.

 

[Chameleon]

cool I might have to diy me one of those...thanks for the encouragement, because right now I haven't had much luck

 

[rizon25]

Here's a before and now pic. Things I did differently which have helped:
1. Algae mower to manually remove algae.
2. 4 turbo snails in my 100 gallon tank
3. Added a doser which helped keep alk stable from 7.8 to 9.5

 

[Chameleon]

did you try the kent tech M?
I have my alk on a doser now...it was before...but it wasn't keeping up with demand as corals grew more.
Ill try your other suggestions too thanks so much

 

[rizon25]

I tried kent M. Got my mag to 1800 to get rid of algae. Kept it there for 4 weeks. Killed my snails but algae still thrived.

 

[Jimbo]

Bumping an old thread. Is the OP still around for an update? Have some of this cladophoropsis algae just appeared on some of my rocks. Any luck with the Tech M ?