Heyya folks. Over the past week I've had this huge algal outbreak. A few valonias, but mostly green and byropsis (Orion, this was the thing that was on my tank wall that we thought was an urchin. I should've known better). I have about a foot total of feather caulerpa, in three different sections, in the tank. Will this help reduce the phosphorus? The byropsis are taking over my shroom rock and I've already lost one. The hermits are still picking at the hair algae and the two turbos I put in there seem to be working but I think I need a couple more. Also, has anyone had any luck with Phosphorus Sponge by Kent or any other similar product? Thanks folks.
Caulerpa vs. Byropsis
- Thread starter VoodooChild
- Start date
I am also having a problem with byropsis. I cant get rid of the stuff. If anyone has any answers, it would help
no personal experience with the phosphate sponge (the one we sell at petco) but a friend of mine who did salt for four years before she joined the marines has told me it works great IF you follow the directions and remove it in time... otherwise itll dump everything back into your tank. sorry i cant be a bigger help.
Yikes! Mental note--bryopsis sprouts look like urchins!
If you aren't already, get some RO/DI water to use for your water changes. I agree with azriel--the phosphate sponges can work, but you have to monitor them and change them in time. I would get a phosphate kit as well, so you can monitor the effects.
Sorry I can't be of more help! The caulerpa should help, but it needs to be growing so much that you are cutting it back weekly (this is how the excess nutrients are actually exported).
If you aren't already, get some RO/DI water to use for your water changes. I agree with azriel--the phosphate sponges can work, but you have to monitor them and change them in time. I would get a phosphate kit as well, so you can monitor the effects.
Sorry I can't be of more help! The caulerpa should help, but it needs to be growing so much that you are cutting it back weekly (this is how the excess nutrients are actually exported).
From what I've gathered this is a good thing as long as I can keep it under control. Is that correct? The piece of rock it is on is one of my larger pieces so I don't want to remove it just yet. Maybe in the future if I add a refugium I could move that piece there as not to worry about it growing like mad.
I dunno, that doesn't look like feather caulerpa. Check this photo out (not my photo) and see if it matches. Your plant doesn't look feathery enough. Not that I have a clue what it is otherwise 
To remove phosphate, try the following:
-get the real feather caulerpa (I think it's called Caulerpa floradensis) and grow as much of it in your tank, sump, fuge, living room, cieling, walls, anywhere you can, and remove it occasionally, either trade it in for cash at the lfs or give it away). Caulerpa uses some PO4. So does a massive Xenia colony or ten.
-use a kalkwasser drip (buy a can of Ball brand pickling lime and find the instructions browsing the net). It's calcium hydroxide, and does good at maintaining a higher pH- if done *lightly*, adds some calcium, and I think best of all, forms phosphorus hydroxide which quickly sinks to the bottom of your tank as a harmless precipitate.
-reduce the amount of prepared fish food you use. I have found flake food to contain bazillions of times more PO4 than frozen critters and the like.
hth
Matt
To remove phosphate, try the following:
-get the real feather caulerpa (I think it's called Caulerpa floradensis) and grow as much of it in your tank, sump, fuge, living room, cieling, walls, anywhere you can, and remove it occasionally, either trade it in for cash at the lfs or give it away). Caulerpa uses some PO4. So does a massive Xenia colony or ten.
-use a kalkwasser drip (buy a can of Ball brand pickling lime and find the instructions browsing the net). It's calcium hydroxide, and does good at maintaining a higher pH- if done *lightly*, adds some calcium, and I think best of all, forms phosphorus hydroxide which quickly sinks to the bottom of your tank as a harmless precipitate.
-reduce the amount of prepared fish food you use. I have found flake food to contain bazillions of times more PO4 than frozen critters and the like.
hth
Matt