Halimeda and Red Macroe algae

[Jon Schuch]

can anyone tell me what's going on with Halimeda and red macroe alage changing at the tips like this?

 

[ichthyogeek]

Fairly certain that's Botryocladia. And can you describe what's happening? I'm seeing fairly dusty but still fairly healthy looking macros...

 

[Jon Schuch]

Hmmm. Just in the 2 spots that I posted pictures of but at first what looked like a brown algae but after a closer look the end is fanning out kind of like an oak leaf and has a brown yet clear transparency. Rock and plants may just be curing? Not sure. 60lbs has been in tank 3 weeks almost 4 and the 2nd batch of 30lbs is going on 2 weeks.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Ah, ok, that's a hitchhiker. I'm tempted to say it's sargassum, but I'm not super well read on brown algaes.

 

[Jon Schuch]

Ah, ok, that's a hitchhiker. I'm tempted to say it's sargassum, but I'm not super well read on brown algaes.

Its more like the actual plants is changing on the tips in the 2 spots not something new attaching to them.

 

[NashobaTek]

It looks like a type of brown seaweed that has started growing on the others. If it's on live rock, I wouldn't worry. Both of the others look fine

 

[ThePurple12]

That’s a new one... some kind of algae is growing on them.

 

[ThePurple12]

I would keep it on them because it looks cool... who ever heard of grafted macroalgae!

 

[sixty_reefer]

I would be worried, that’s Dictyota sp. one of the most invasive macroalgaes, probably more invasive than bryopsis, if the conditions are right.

 

[Jon Schuch]

I would be worried, that’s Dictyota sp. one of the most invasive macroalgaes, probably more invasive than bryopsis, if the conditions are right.

So should I be pruning this off? Its only in 2 small spots but someone on another forum suggested most macro algae goes sexual as it exports nutrients and this is what it looks like. Someone said they have caulerpa and it does this from time to time and they prune it off. I really have no idea which is why I am asking. As I said earlier this is uncured live rock from the gulf so just trying to make sure I weed out the bad and not let any bad take hold.

 

[samnaz]

I agree does look like dictyota.

 

[sixty_reefer]

So should I be pruning this off? Its only in 2 small spots but someone on another forum suggested most macro algae goes sexual as it exports nutrients and this is what it looks like. Someone said they have caulerpa and it does this from time to time and they prune it off. I really have no idea which is why I am asking. As I said earlier this is uncured live rock from the gulf so just trying to make sure I weed out the bad and not let any bad take hold.

personally I would get it out.

 

[Jon Schuch]

I would be worried, that’s Dictyota sp. one of the most invasive macroalgaes, probably more invasive than bryopsis, if the conditions are right.

Okay, I trimmed and or pulled all the Dictyota. I will keep an eye out for any remnants and or new sprouts. Thank you! Any recommendations on lighting with this new rock? I have the programmable current orbit light 48" I have it coming on at 7am for an hour of sunrise then on until 5pm for an hour of sunset followed by 3 hours of moinlight. Seems there has been quite a bit of bad that came with this rock. Not only the Dictyota but Aiptasia as well. I have 2 peppermints in there now as well as 5 Emerald crabs and some other hermit crabs and snails. For clean up crew. A filefish and 10 more peppermints will be here Saturday. There are some good however but I am so new I wouldn't even know it is called. I know there are some corals, mollusks and various macro algaes so hopefully all works out. Just want to make sure I take care of the bad and part of that is making sure my lighting is right. Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you!