New Halimeda Opuntia

[edsbeaker]

Hi,
I’m just cycling a new tank and added some macros 2 days ago. Everything is doing well except Halimeda Opuntia. Is it normal to have some die off like on the photo when it is first added? There is no other livestock in the tank.

 

[macrouk]

I can’t help with Halimeda but I can say… nice tank!!

 

[edsbeaker]

I can’t help with Halimeda but I can say… nice tank!!

Thank you! I think it’s easy when everything is brand new, the real challenge is if it still looks looks nice in a month or two when everything has a chance to go wrong.

 

[courtneykeeps]

I could be wrong but I don't think it's dying, it looks more like what would be 'roots'. I have the same on my Halimeda but it's only on the bottom of the cuttings that are upside down. I turn them the other way and the tips are fresh and green.

Your tank looks great though!

Hi,
I’m just cycling a new tank and added some macros 2 days ago. Everything is doing well except Halimeda Opuntia. Is it normal to have some die off like on the photo when it is first added? There is no other livestock in the tank.

 

[Drewerd7]

That particular "mother" piece of Halimeda may die off, but it sends runners or some sort of roots/baby maker under the sand, and a new, juvenile halimeda buds out of the sand.
My newly introduced Halimeda gradually turned very pale, and as I began to worry about it dying off, I noticed a new one a couple inches away. Eventually the offspring outgrew the "mother" and as she died off, the offspring looked gorgeous!
Keep your eyes peeled along the sandbed.. you just may see a youngster rearing its head!

 

[vlangel]

My opuntia seems to do best in the darker areas of the tank, up close to the rock or in the shadow of other macros.

 

[twentyleagues]

I never had luck with the calcurus algae's like those always seemed to turn white on me, possibly to much light. Caulerpa, codium, some of the leafy reds and ulva grew well.

 

[vlangel]

Hi,
I’m just cycling a new tank and added some macros 2 days ago. Everything is doing well except Halimeda Opuntia. Is it normal to have some die off like on the photo when it is first added? There is no other livestock in the tank.

Make sure that there are nutrients in the tank for all those macroalgae. Without livestock, its a little trickier to provide nutrients for them.