baddiesel's new L2 install

If one were to define "bryopsis" as a species encompassing "green hair algae" (GHA). Then, I guess the answer would be "affirmative", I'm battling "bryopsis". I am certain PO4 has leeched into my live rock. I forgot to mention, that I have been operating a phosban reactor using "sea-gel" by SeaChem.

Yep, I've researched another method used to kill GHA/Bryopsis. By raising the Mg level to 1800 ppm, and maintain that level for 2 weeks (no w/c's), it's supposed to eradicate GHA. What's most important, is the use of Kent Marine Tech M. Apparently, there's another compound in the reagent that kills the GHA, not the Mg sulfide or Mg chloride. It's something else that does the damage.

You're right Bud, I shouldn't have thoroughly cleaned the screen as well as I did. But, I can grow it out again within a month and have heavy turf algae growth...... and lots of critters in that stuff.

 

Yes, that's a fair assessment. I was looking for another "quick fix-silver bullet", to rid my tank of GHA. While using all these methods at once, I can say with certainty that my tank looks cleaner. It takes longer for the brown film to build up on the glass. Cyrano has disappeared, without using "chemi-clean", it just disappeared. A lot of the brown diatoms on the sand bed have just disappeared, and it looks brighter and cleaner. I will update you later, currently I'm in DC.

 

Alright, I'm back at my residence. Performed another Mg test, the level is 2010. Still, there's not any change in the appearance of the GHA. That is to say, it's still alive and thriving. Today, is day number 14. I'm thinking about doing a w/c tomorrow, as I haven't done one since the 24th of Aug; sorta' worry about the impact on everything. Corals are thriving, algae is again growing on my ATS, my protein skimmer cup/throat looks very nasty. Other than the glass needing a wipe or two, everything really looks really good. Turbo, sorry, I don't have any other way of sending pics right now.

 

Thanks for posting the photos for me, I appreciate that. Negative on the "branching" type of hair algae. This is plain 'ole green hair algae, it's very fine in texture, single hairs, and "finer-than frog's hair" GHA. My NO3 is zero, and my PO4 is zero as well. The tank is the cleanest that I've ever seen it. I'm almost afraid to perform a 20-25g w/c.

 

Just a quick update: The Tech M did not work at all at reducing or eliminating GHA in my tank. My parameters are okay, (NO3=0, PO4=0, dKH=9, Ca=440ppm, SG=1.026, with the exception of my Mg still high (1800 ppm). I've changed my w/c routine to only 15g. I still use "SeaGel" by SeaChem for phosphate reduction and to keep the water clear, and I use ChemiKleen Elite, as well as Purigen. My chaetomorphia grows like a weed, and I have great harvests from the ATS, so I think I've beat the dead horse into the ground. I've removed all GHA inffected LR, and placed it into a 30g brute trash can, fresh salt water, heater, (2) power heads, and a tight fitting lid. I'll perform weekly water changes, and rinses for about 3 months, until I feel certain all phosphate has leached out of the LR. My corals and fish appear healthy, and the sand bed is amazingly clean. In fact, I've never seen it this clean before. That's all I have for now. Cheer's!!!

 

Here's another update, with a scientific twist. Per my previous post, on 10-5-13, I removed all GHA infected LR from my display tank, and relocated them into a 30g brute trash can, with fresh saltwater, heater & (2) 1600gph power heads. The heavy duty plastic lid fits snug, and properly latches on the barrel. This barrel is located in a garage, with lights off most of the time. I've rinsed this LR once since being placed in the "re-curing" phase of this project. I've got to report to you'all, that this GHA is from HELL. It doesn't need any light to survive. I just checked the rock last night, yep no sign of dying, diminished growth, yellowing, graying, nothing, na-da.....it's unbelievable!!!. I was under the impression that one of the most important key elements for algae growth was light. All I can say is, this strain of GHA is very tough, and my LR must be saturated with a lot of PO4. Currently, my display tank has only corals, a few snails, and no fish, and I still have a small amount of GHA growing out of some coraline algae that's on the return spouts. ATS is still operating great, chaetomorphia started to slow down a little on the growth rate, and my PO4 & NO3 is undetectable.

 

I'm using a phosban reactor filled with Sea Gel on my display tank. Once my new Magnum 350 arrives, I will do the Lanthanum Chloride/Diatomaceous Earth drip method for phosphate removal from the 30g (LR) barrel.

 

Some people drip Lanthanum Chloride (LC) integrated with a Vertex water polisher/Diatomaceous Earth (DE). I don't like the way they prime, so I'm going use a Magnum 350 & micron filter. The micron filter is only good to about 10 microns. Add 1 cup of DE to 2 1/2 qt pitcher of aquarium water. Prime empty Mag 350 with both suction & return lines in water pitcher/container. Now the DE will coat the micron filter and make it a 1 micron filter.

 

Not to get off topic, but if you can locate Leslie's fiber cellulose from a pool supply store, it's cheaper, just as efficient, and a little less dangerous than DE. Now, back to my display tank issues......I really think everything is fine. My chaetomorphia and ATS growth has diminished quite a bit. I added 4ml of Fergon (Fe) 24 hours ago, and the chaeto did not "green-up". So now, I believe my tank is nutrient poor. No fish, no food, no PO4, and no NO3. The sand bed looks pristine.