Halimeda

[Rob in Puyallup]

Hi all,

I have a 10 gallon nano reef tank up and running for six months or so now. I have a HOB fuge filled with various things including some chaeto and caulerpa. There's also a "Mermaids Hairbrush" (think that's what it's called!) that has grown and spread under the sand quite well. The individual growths are fairly short lived but are replaced with a new brush before the old growth completely fades...

I've tried Halimeda macro algae in the display tank a couple times but they both turned white and tumbled into stacks of "coins" within a week or so.

Is this a lack of nutrients problem or something to do with lighting?

I have a Reef Breeders Value led unit over the tank...

Thanks!

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[Tahoe61]

Halimeda needs a decent Calcium level to thrive, so I would start there.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

Hi Tahoe,

At last check calcium was at 520. I use Kent Reef Salt. Calcium runs high.

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[Tahoe61]

Might be possible it's too high. Another consideration elevated phos and nitrate level, Halimeda seems to appreciate cleaner water IME. I have always found to be an odd algae, similar to the coral Xenia in that it will grow in one tank and fail to thrive in a tank under the same conditions.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

Oh well, one day, I guess. Lol.

Xenia is doing great and not taking over like the blue Snowflakes, GSP and Zoas.

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[Reefing Madness]

Nitrates gotta be enough to sustain it, and it also needs good lighting. Mine turned white and started to die out, when it got shaded by the Cheato.

 

[navila06]

I had Halimeda in my old tank about 7 years ago, then my filtration was bio-balls, uv, canister filter, and a cheap protein skimmer lights used was power compact. I added one cap full of kent liquid calcium just like the bottle said. and never monitored parameters except nitrates and phos (API). My no3 was always between 40 and 60 and phos was undetectable on the api test kit and my Halimeda grew like crazy.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

A beautiful shot of a great plant, Navila, thanks.

I'm thinking my nitrates are way too low!

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[navila06]

thank you, It is a beautiful plant, I can't grow it anymore since my no3 is way to low now as well.

A beautiful shot of a great plant, Navila, thanks.

I'm thinking my nitrates are way too low!

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