Macroalogy melting

[emg723]

Hi there! I recently started a tank with the intent of having macroalgae and soft corals.

I purchased a few species of caulpera, and have noticed some of them going clear or melting. When I looked this up, I keep seeing the term, "going sexual". Does this mean that they are specifically melting to release spores? This term is confusing If not lol.

I'm trying to determine if my melted algae will end up producing more throughout the tank, or if I will have to order more of it.

Also, I did have an orange branching macro algae that also melted, trying to determine if it's just completely dead or if it is spreading itself around the tank. I usually deal with freshwater plants, and some species like cryptocornea will completely melt every time you replant them, just so that they can regrow leaves that are specific to your tank. I'm hoping that is what this means? I would love any advice!

 

[MnFish1]

I don't suppose you have a test kit (and they aren't great anyway) - algae often benefit from iron/manganese supplements. If you're sure there are no fish eating it, be prepared that as the algae dies - nutrients will be released. I would watch your PO4 and Nitrates.

 

[emg723]

I don't suppose you have a test kit (and they aren't great anyway) - algae often benefit from iron/manganese supplements. If you're sure there are no fish eating it, be prepared that as the algae dies - nutrients will be released. I would watch your PO4 and Nitrates.

I'll keep an eye on the PO4, I just get cheatogrow, ferrion, and neophos. I'm going to start adding this as well!

 

[vlangel]

I find with my macros that they melt/go clear when they need something. Try dosing a little flourish which generally has the trace minerals that plants/macroalgae need.

And you are correct that macroalgae goes sexual to release spores in an effort to preserve the species when they are stressed or dying. Many of the caulerpa species will release so many spores that the tank will be cloudy for a day or two. Usually it filters out, especially if you add filter floss or socks to catch it.

 

[courtneykeeps]

Do you have any pictures?

Not to say that it can't happen but I've never had any go sexual that lead to it spreading. For me, macroalgae spreading usually comes from fragments breaking off and floating somewhere else.

Usually if it goes sexual it's toast.

A few things that seem to help prevent it is;

- Keeping an eye on nitrates and phosphates as someone said already. If they bottom out they are in the danger zone of going sexual, especially the Caulerpa species.
- Acclimating new species. I noticed that if I just chuck new species in the water and they've just been shipped, they tend not to like that and can melt. I now do a temperature acclimation like I do for fish but only if the temperature is wildly different.
- Apparently regularly trimming caulerpa species and breaking up the 'runners' into smaller sections can prevent the whole colony going sexual at once. I can't say I've noticed a difference but some people say it does.