Macro algae’s turn white and die off?

Bfragale · Feb 26, 2021

I purchased an excising tank about 6 months back. Out of the rocks grew some great macro algae’s - and I’ve really enjoyed this tank.
There was a few different kinds or styles but I believe all in the calurpa family. Tank also has a bunch of softies and fish of course. One by one the macro algae would be looking great, growing fast then - one colony would over night turn white and mushy and I would remove it. There was like 5 or 6 different colony’s and it would only happen to one. Then a few weeks later another. All while the others would remain looking good.

it’s just very odd to me that it would only be one at a time- even same species just different colony in different rocks and only one would do this.
if something was so out of wack wouldn’t it all die at same time?

I dose cheato grow between water changes and do 20% every other Sunday. I use Red Sea blue bucket and have been able to keep it within range with just water changes and an occasional adjustment with BRS alk-cal-mag. Also use sea lab no 28 cubes I got from the seller, and am trying for first time On This tank and so far I like them- as it’s pretty much macros and easy to keep softies I thought this and water changes would be enough.

Everything else seems happy and thriving.

is there something I’m doing wrong here? Or missing?

HuduVudu · Feb 26, 2021

They have gone asexual. You probably need to watch your iron to ensure that they have optimal parameters for growth.

Bfragale · Feb 26, 2021

Iron- I don’t have a test kit- I’ve been dosing every other week cheato grow. That’s half the recommended dose- but since I can’t test for most of the ingredients I’ve always just done half what the bottle says. Should I start dosing full recommend amount- even if I don’t have iron test

Does low iron cause these to go sexual? are there other things I should be watching with macro algae as well?

is cheato grow enough or is there something else specific I should be adding? Should I a

thafor your help. Other then cheato- I’ve never really kept macro algae. But I’m really enjoying the change of pace - my other tank is a mixed sps/lps- so it’s been a different experience and a new found enjoyment for macro algae- if I can keep it alive and correct my issue I would love to get more varieties and make this a fully “planted reef”- if that’s even a thing lol.

just cuz I like to post photos lol here’s a few shots from both my main tanks.

HuduVudu · Feb 27, 2021

Your tanks look good.

There is no consumer grade iron test.

I think you are ready for the next level ... ICP. I would highly recommend getting one of these tests. It will really help you to get some insight into what is going on in your tank.

I am pretty leery of supplements because you don't really know what it is they are using. I also don't like that they will only give the target ion and not it's compliment if they do manage to list ingredients. This is infuriating for me. If they have to work that hard to hide the secret sauce then IMO they can have it. That said I dose my own iron supplement. It is comical how I make it but I know exactly what's in it. It is a bit tough to figure out a dose and I use my gonipora as the indicator, because ICP does take a while to get results.

I would hold steady on your what you are dosing. Maybe increase it a some but do it very slowly and watch the tank for changes. This will work well because the ICP will tell you what you are deficient in and you can make more informed decisions based on the test.