Botryocladia Help!

cd459 · Jul 24, 2020

I received 4 bunches of Botryocladia. I floated them then placed them in the tank. This morning I noticed a couple of them lost a lot of bubbles, but the stalks still look/feel good. I'm hoping the algae is just recovering from shipping stress and adjusting to the new water parameters.

I have two Tunzes combining for about 1,100 gal/hr. Run a Kessil 160 Tuna Blue for about 9 hours half intensity towards the 10K spectrum. I have fish in the tank so I know there is N & P, and I also dosed a little dry ferts.

All I can do is wait and see right now, but is there anything that could possibly be upsetting them? I'm trying to cover lighting, flow, nutrients, etc.

ThePurple12 · Jul 25, 2020

It's probably just recovering. But I will say that just because there are fish in the tank doesn't mean there're enough nitrates.

cd459 · Jul 25, 2020

ThePurple12 said:
It's probably just recovering. But I will say that just because there are fish in the tank doesn't mean there're enough nitrates.

my nitrates have been at 10-20 ppm for the past few weeks prior to adding the macros. I also have dry ferts (KNO3, K2PO4) to keep them steady incase nutrients go down.

Only annoying thing is trying to remove all the bubbles

Brokereefer603 · Jul 25, 2020

where is it placed in your tank. i lose grapes on mine when its subject to too much light

cd459 · Jul 25, 2020

I placed them in between rocks, a couple are directly under the Kessil, a few get indirect light.

I’ve heard that light isn’t as important compared to nutrient and flow, but I don’t have experience yet so idk how true that is. I am running the Kessil towards the lower end.

ThePurple12 · Jul 25, 2020

I'd say flow is the least important, nutrients second, and light most important. Medium light is IME better just to be on the safe side, but you can play around with it.

cd459 · Jul 25, 2020

ThePurple12 said:
I'd say flow is the least important, nutrients second, and light most important. Medium light is IME better just to be on the safe side, but you can play around with it.

For the tuna blue would mostly 10K be better or actinic?

ThePurple12 · Jul 25, 2020

Most likely 10k, but I don't have experience with actinic. I'd guess it would grow in both though.

Brokereefer603 · Jul 25, 2020

cd459 said:
For the tuna blue would mostly 10K be better or actinic?

it depends if you have any other macros in the tank with the red grapes. reds like more of the bluer spectrum and greens more towards the 6500k spectrum

cd459 · Jul 25, 2020

Brokereefer603 said:
it depends if you have any other macros in the tank with the red grapes. reds like more of the bluer spectrum and greens more towards the 6500k spectrum

I just have reds rn.It’s strange because two plants look fine while two have lost a lot of air bladders.

ThePurple12 · Jul 25, 2020

The same thing happened when I got my Botryocladia- some bubbles fell off, but the plants were just adjusting and grew them back. I wouldn't worry just yet.