Help! ... Macroalgae

TheSaladCo · 12/08/2006, 10:55 PM

I recently installed a fuge and added some macroalgae.

While propogating some leather corals, one of them seemed really unhappy. I began treating the tank with Supperbuffer dKH.

Now, it looks like the macroalgae is dying. It is turning clear and starting to thin out. Please help!

Chaotic Reefer4u · 12/08/2006, 11:17 PM

wrong move salad, why the treatment with buffer? get yourself knowledged on this site and read,read,read...

woodstock '69 · 12/08/2006, 11:19 PM

I know little about macroalgae but I will say that when things crop up from time to time in your tank and hobby, you don't always want to react before you have the diagnosis well in hand.

Why did you treat with superBuffer if the frag looked "unhappy"? How long before you did it? what has happened since? Definately not trying to be a profanity removed - just the first thing that poped into my head

Michael.

aquarius77 · 12/08/2006, 11:56 PM

What kind of photo period are you running on the fuge'?

reefshadow · 12/10/2006, 03:07 AM

If you are growing any of the various types of caulerpa in your fuge you will probably get episodes of this happening regardless of what your water parameters are. Most people say that it has 'gone sexual' when it does this, i'm not sure if that is an accurate description or not. There doesn't seem to be any one cause that can be pinned down, though there are a lot of theories out there.

There are many other types of macro algaes that you can switch to if you are using caulerpa that don't have this hazard attached to them. Some good choices IMO would include halimedas, chaetomorpha, sargassum, there are really alot out there. Get some from a fellow reefer or try to locate some at your LFS.

Buffer is good if you need it, make sure you test before you tweak anything.

HTH

bertoni · 12/10/2006, 01:55 PM

Caulerpa species can release their cell contents as gametes into the water column, leaving behind the white or translucent cell wall. They do this when overgrown, for example, so that might be the problem.

I think you'll need calcium and alkalinity test kits to guide your dosing. What are the water parameters now, if you have those kits?

12/08/2006, 10:55 PM	#1
TheSaladCo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 28	Help! ... Macroalgae I recently installed a fuge and added some macroalgae. While propogating some leather corals, one of them seemed really unhappy. I began treating the tank with Supperbuffer dKH. Now, it looks like the macroalgae is dying. It is turning clear and starting to thin out. Please help!

12/08/2006, 11:17 PM	#2
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	water change/carbon in a sock filter to help dilute the buffer... wrong move salad, why the treatment with buffer? get yourself knowledged on this site and read,read,read... __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

12/08/2006, 11:19 PM	#3
woodstock '69 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: central virginia Posts: 368	I know little about macroalgae but I will say that when things crop up from time to time in your tank and hobby, you don't always want to react before you have the diagnosis well in hand. Why did you treat with superBuffer if the frag looked "unhappy"? How long before you did it? what has happened since? Definately not trying to be a profanity removed - just the first thing that poped into my head Michael. Last edited by bertoni; 12/10/2006 at 01:53 PM.

12/10/2006, 03:07 AM	#5
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	If you are growing any of the various types of caulerpa in your fuge you will probably get episodes of this happening regardless of what your water parameters are. Most people say that it has 'gone sexual' when it does this, i'm not sure if that is an accurate description or not. There doesn't seem to be any one cause that can be pinned down, though there are a lot of theories out there. There are many other types of macro algaes that you can switch to if you are using caulerpa that don't have this hazard attached to them. Some good choices IMO would include halimedas, chaetomorpha, sargassum, there are really alot out there. Get some from a fellow reefer or try to locate some at your LFS. Buffer is good if you need it, make sure you test before you tweak anything. HTH __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

12/10/2006, 01:55 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Caulerpa species can release their cell contents as gametes into the water column, leaving behind the white or translucent cell wall. They do this when overgrown, for example, so that might be the problem. I think you'll need calcium and alkalinity test kits to guide your dosing. What are the water parameters now, if you have those kits? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/08/2006, 11:56 PM	#4
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	What kind of photo period are you running on the fuge'?