Halophila decipiens

[Samala]

I'm curious to know if anyone within the States is positively working with this species of Halophila, aka paddle grass. If you are working with similar species, and are not sure of the ID, please also get ahold of me.

Shoot me a PM or email if possible, or reply here.

Thanks!

>Sarah

 

[Samala]

Or.. if you culture, have access to, or otherwise can source Halophila ovalis (oar algae) I'd also love to hear from you.

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

Not very helpful, but thought I'd let you know the Halophila I go from Mary over at seacrop didnt make it. I just went back to the thread I had going abotu it, and noticed that member "clamiam" got some around the same as me so maybe they are having better luck.

On a better note the Halodule that I recieved from Mary is doing great. Member Halophila id'd it as H. uninervis

 

[Samala]

Well, that's something! That H. ovalis didnt fare very well in my tank either. Which is very odd IMO.. considering it arrived in decent overall shape.

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

Sent ClamIam a PM. I'll probably try with Halophila again in the spring when the weather warms up. Not that its cold, very unusual winter here in NE.

 

[ClamIAm]

I forget to check my PMs often. Mine didn't make it either unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure what happened to it. The halodule that I assume to be the same lasted much longer, but none of it is alive any longer either. This being my first attempt at keeping any seagrass, I'm sure I made some mistakes but it doesn't sound like these specimens have been too hardy if you haven't been able to keep them either. Right now in the tank I've had a species of Caulerpa (I think it's brachypus) and I recently added a new macroalgae that I have yet to identify and both have been doing well so I'm not sure what may have been the problem for me.

 

[graveyardworm]

Sarah, do you happen to know if Mary at Seacrop was culturing it?

 

[Samala]

That was what I heard initially.. that she had the plants growing underneath some of her frag systems without much care. So I'm not sure if that info is bad or not. If she had them in tanks without any special attention it seems strange we would have so much trouble. (?) Maybe we're babying them too much.

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

I noticed its not listed for sale at Seacrop any longer, so perhaps she's just waiting for it to grow some.

 

[skimmerless]

I have H. ovalis growing very successfully. I planted about 15 rhizomes in early November and now it nearly covers the entire sandbed in my 125g tank. I would be happy to provide some if I can get advice on the proper way to harvest it.

 

[Samala]

I would absolutely love to see photos Skimmer, if you manage them. It would be a great contribution to the forum, especially since we have been having such rotten luck with H. ovalis so far.

Are you doing anything special for them? What sort of light is over the 125g?

As for harvesting, I'll PM you if I cant get ahold of decipiens. Thank you so much for the offer and for posting!

>Sarah

 

[ClamIAm]

Seeing as my planted tank still has 3 inches of sand and no seagrass I'd be interested to. The only problem is I'm going back to college in a week and this tank is at home so I wouldn't be able to put it in my tank if you sent it. Did you get yours from SeaCrop too or did you get it elsewhere?

 

[skimmerless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8982070#post8982070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Samala
I would absolutely love to see photos Skimmer, if you manage them. It would be a great contribution to the forum, especially since we have been having such rotten luck with H. ovalis so far.

I'll try to get some pictures, but I am not very good at taking them. Even though I've had great (and dumb) luck with H. ovalis growing and spreading so far, I've only had them for two months so my luck might change.

Are you doing anything special for them? What sort of light is over the 125g?

I am not really doing anything special, but maybe differently than others. I did let the sandbed age for a year before planting, but that's probably common sense. My favorite inhabitants are Elysia sea slugs so I overfeed and don't skim this tank to keep the algae population strong.

The lighting is four 5' T5s but I think it is a little too strong. The shoots in the highest light areas tend to shed and regrow their leaves often. The strongest and healthiest growth is in the shadier regions.

As for harvesting, I'll PM you if I cant get ahold of decipiens. Thank you so much for the offer and for posting!

I was wondering if I could get some harvesting advice anyway? It might be nice to spread some into another tank in case something unthinkable happens.

 

[skimmerless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8982278#post8982278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ClamIAm
Seeing as my planted tank still has 3 inches of sand and no seagrass I'd be interested to. The only problem is I'm going back to college in a week and this tank is at home so I wouldn't be able to put it in my tank if you sent it. Did you get yours from SeaCrop too or did you get it elsewhere?

SeaCrop was the only place I could find it. I was about to give up on ever finding it until I found this forum.

Since you are in Illinois, it may be better to ship in the summer anyway.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[graveyardworm]

Shortly after I got mine it took off like wildfire, but then as suddenly as it grew it stopped lost all its leaves and perished. I also had a huge amphipod colony, and I believe they were munching on the leaves which didnt help much.

 

[skimmerless]

Here are some pictures. Don't expect too much because I can't take a decent photo.

Full tank shot. I really need to cull some corals and Sargassum.

Here is a close-up in one of the brighter lit areas.

Here is the same area with the camera submerged.

I've got two Jawfish that bury, unearth, tear leaves, and generally harass any encroaching seagrass.

Here is some living in the shade behind the rocks.

 

[Limbo]

Amazing :eek1:

How long has it taken to fill in like that? You said you planted in early November. Is that '06 or '05?

Also, do you dose iron or KNO3 or just overfeed as you said?

I so love pics. Thank you for sharing.

 

[skimmerless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8988357#post8988357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Limbo
Amazing :eek1:

How long has it taken to fill in like that? You said you planted in early November. Is that '06 or '05?

That was '06. I started this thread when I planted because I was very nervous about survival.

Also, do you dose iron or KNO3 or just overfeed as you said?

Just overfeed. I haven't even thought about dosing; maybe it is something I should look into in case things go downhill.

 

[Samala]

I think you are far too modest about the photos, they are absolutely fantastic! You have incredibly strong growth for two months, I'm very impressed (and very jealous).

As for harvesting - H. ovalis seemed to take well to the same pruning I did with H. engelmannii. Carefully pry up the leading/growing end of a rhizome and work backwards towards older sections of the rhizome. Uncover at least six or seven pairs of leaves along with their roots.

The roots should be covered with soil and sand, leave it on them. Once you get a suitable section (and you can go longer than 6-7 pairs, but I wouldnt go much shorter) snap the rhizome with some sharp scissors.

Then transplant to a new area, or a new tank, making sure to dig a pit, lay in the rhizome, and cover the roots over gently. That should do it. Experiment with one or two transplants first before you get aggressive with it. Just in case.

The old section of the rhizome in the original tank where you snipped it may leak bubbles for a day or so and then heal over. No trouble with that typically. You can leave it in the water column, or cover it with sand.

I have, in the past, lost the leaf pairs closest to this incision point. The rhizomes that are really old, or are in marginal environments (not quite enough nutrients, or not quite enough light) seemed most at risk for this. I never experienced a total rhizome death because of taking a transplant. Yet.

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

Those pics are wonderful. I only wish mine had taken and grown.