red grapes

[skeeter-doc]

I have some red grape macro, Botyrocladia, and it is turning very light in color, almost clear. Can someone tell me what is happening? It seems to be satill alive, but fading; not enough light? Too much light? Too many nutrients? what is the problem?

thanks!

 

[graveyardworm]

I would guess too much light. Can you describe the tank, and post water parameters?

 

[skeeter-doc]

58 gal w/ 2 x 96 watt PC's

 

[H20Sidhe]

How deep is your tank, i.e. how many inches from the lights to the botryocladia?
When did you last replace the bulbs?

What are your water parameters: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, carbonate?

 

[skeeter-doc]

water param's all normal

bulbs are brand new just the other day, so the macro may color up soon

it is sitting about 5-7 inches under the bulbs

 

[graveyardworm]

The reds tend to prefer more suddued lighting. I dont know if somehow they can regulate pigment based on lighting but it does seem to be the case. Try moving it to a slightly shaded spot and see of it colors up.

 

[H20Sidhe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9643659#post9643659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skeeter-doc
water param's all normal

bulbs are brand new just the other day, so the macro may color up soon

it is sitting about 5-7 inches under the bulbs

I agree with David that the light is probably too intense for your Botryocladia.

However "normal params" is not helpful at all. While for keeping corals, it is felt that the nitrogen compounds and phosphate should be kept as low as possible, for macroalgae some nitrate and phosphate (and probably iron) are necessary for health. Other parameters also vary based on what you want to keep. In other words, since 'normal' depends on what type of tank you are keeping, normal is a meaningless term.

So be advised that while graveyardworm & Samala (and others here) are very knowledgeable in the keeping of macroalgae, if you don't provide complete information, the advice you get may not be complete. HTH

 

[critmin]

Re: red grapes

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9637145#post9637145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skeeter-doc
I have some red grape macro, Botyrocladia, and it is turning very light in color, almost clear. Can someone tell me what is happening? It seems to be satill alive, but fading; not enough light? Too much light? Too many nutrients? what is the problem?

thanks!

Yeah, that happened to mine when I switched to halides. They got all clear and shiny. I just put them lower in the tank and in shaded areas and they did much better.

 

[skeeter-doc]

but my tank only has 2 X 96 watt PC bulbs, ... is that too much lighting?