Udotea algae thread.

[Saltliquid]

Hey guys,I didn't realise that others were interested in the udotea coralline algae that we take for granted here.
The mermaids tail is a common sight on our collecting trips and I have many in my aquariums.
This a small bit on what I know of them from in excess of 30 years of keeping them, if any one is interested.

http://southeastqueenslandm.aforumfree.com/t1920-udotea-or-mermaids-tail-algae#7739

 

[Bryn]

Thank you for sharing. In the tank, do they need a mud substrate, or will a sand substrate work just as well?

Thanks

Bryn

 

[ferret]

The one I obtained is growing on a pcs. of rock so I continue to place this algae on small pc. of rocks without any problem when I frag them.

 

[Bryn]

Thanks for the reply ferret. Something to consider in the future, such a beautiful macro.

Is that Vancouver BC?

Bryn

 

[Plantbrain]

I've kept them in Florida for quite some time, they are not easy marine soft sediment macro algae, but well worth the efforts. I did better with Avrainvillea, similar but nice and soft and furry feeling. Smaller macros worked best, as they adapted better and then the Alk and Ca++ needed to be high like a Reef tank.

 

[Saltliquid]

Thank you for sharing. In the tank, do they need a mud substrate, or will a sand substrate work just as well?

Thanks

Bryn

No mate I have no substrate in any way and they do great and under diodes they turn a nice blue/green.

 

[Saltliquid]

I've kept them in Florida for quite some time, they are not easy marine soft sediment macro algae, but well worth the efforts. I did better with Avrainvillea, similar but nice and soft and furry feeling. Smaller macros worked best, as they adapted better and then the Alk and Ca++ needed to be high like a Reef tank.

They are a form of coralline so you have to dose the same as you do for sps.
With my natural system the water is always 0 nitrate,0 phos,550+ cal and KH is always 7 and that is with out dosing.
They need iron,iodide,cal,mag etc, etc.
Mine grow like crazy and only my cole tangs nibble on them.

 

[Bryn]

So much to learn, so much to explore. My stack of interesting things to look into is growing, I have many years of exploring ahead of me. But the first thing I need to do is learn how to keep basic macros

Bryn