Macro Algae (Ulva) Melting

[MikeyG]

Hi Guys,

Over the past 3-4 weeks I noticed some of the macro algae in my refugium started to melt, and eventually rot away.
This is happening to the Ulva/Sea Lettuce, and not the chato.
The Ulva was doing awesome previously, and actually doubling in sixe every 2 weeks I was actually harvesting 5 to 10 large hand fulls every 2 weeks and selling to my LFS.
Please note I am running Triton Core 7 method.
I was using Red Sea Pro salt, and since switched to Aqua Marine Pro based on Triton's recommendation.

Can't say my parameters have changed much except my nitrates, and phosphates levels are increasing as I try to remove the dead/decaying algae from the refugium.

I do recall restarting my GFO reactor around the same time I noticed the decaying problem. However, nutrients levels are srill high, so I know the algae is not starving. My Chato is still doing great and growing very well.

Any thought?

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

What is your temp. Ulva is a colder water macro. I've seen it grow in water that's barely over 60 degrees.

 

[MikeyG]

What is your temp. Ulva is a colder water macro. I've seen it grow in water that's barely over 60 degrees.

I run my system at 75-77 degrees F

 

[Samina]

Have you done an ICP lately? Maybe Fe levels are low?

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

Are you running any carbon or doing any carbon dosing. Also you could be changing to much water leading to nutrient depletion

 

[MikeyG]

Have you done an ICP lately? Maybe Fe levels are low?

I did one in 11/19/2019 and at that time it was low, because I stopped dosing per instruction From Triton. I restarted dosing 11/28, so I would expect levels to be back to normal by now considering Triton Core 7 include elevated components beneficial to the refugium.

 

[MikeyG]

Are you running any carbon or doing any carbon dosing. Also you could be changing to much water leading to nutrient depletion

Not doing any carbon dosing as they are not compatible with Triton Core 7. However, I do auto-water-change of 5 gal daily. However, this is a 1.25% of a 400gal system.
You might be asking why do water change with Triton method.!
I am not 100% convinced on a zero water change method. In addition, every time I do an ICP test, and things are a little off Triton recommends doing six 15% water change. So, I figure i can stay ahead of the game with 1.25% daily water change.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

the cheato mass might have just outcompeted the other algae

 

[MikeyG]

the cheato mass might have just outcompeted the other algae

You might be just right with this observation because the chato is growing like crazy. Up to a few months ago it was t hgt e reverse with the ulva outgrowing the chato