halimeda bleaching

[timrandlerv10]

hey!

i have halimeda--came in on a rock i guess--and it had been growing well for months, and today i noticed it was bleaching. not uniformly bleaching, but one leaf at a time, and not on every branch.

i dont have current test results, but the last ones were:

ph 8.1
alk 11
ca 380
mg 1400+
alk/nites 0
nates <20

didnt test phosphates, when tested are .2 or less.

recent changes were losing a heater a few weeks ago, and replacing it with a new 250w stealth. results are the temp used to sit around 72-74, now 76-78.

lights are 4x54 t5, 2 superactinics 2 daylight looking but i dont know
2x150 14k mh

t5's on for about 9 hours a day, mh on for 4-6 depending on when i turn them on and off


any ideas?

thanks!

[scubanoah24]

low calcium. they need a ton

[timrandlerv10]

Should I pinch off the white leaves?

[HighlandReefer]

I would remove any dieing leaves (white or decaying).

In addition to calcium, they might benefit from dosing iron as well.

First Iron Article: Macroalgae and Dosing Recommendations
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm

[timrandlerv10]

I have kents iron, and dose randomly to help caleurpa outcompete hair algae :)

after reading the article, I'm going to dose 5ml 2x weekly for (I'm guessing) 110 gallons--how does that sound?

[HighlandReefer]

:thumbsup:

[dcroucher]

Halimeda needs alot of calcium and low light.

[timrandlerv10]

Ack! Low light? They're right under 4x56(?) T5 and ulmist under a 150 mh...could that be it?

[Elysia]

Halimeda will also bleach a bit each night, and color back up when the lights go on, sort of like some fish.

[sabazerehi]

i had my halimeda directly under my t5s and they'd grow like crazy!! i had very high calcium though. the pieces that were in shade and not getting enough light would turn white and eventually dissolve. a little good news is, that the parts that do die, will only become calcium in the tank.

[lancer99]

Halimeda needs alot of calcium and low light.

The second half of that sentence is completely wrong!

And there's no need to remove any "decaying"/dead parts.

-R