weird halimeda behavior?

[bpm2000]

About 90% of the halimeda in my tank (came as a hitchhiker) totally bleached, and had these weird round green globes on them that dissapeared... did they go sexual? Ive heard macros like calurpa can be harmful to corals and such when they do that, but the halimeda hasn't harmed anything to my knowledge. I removed the dead white stuff with the water change today, but anyone know exactly what happened?

thx

 

[NaH2O]

Here is a quote I found for you:

Halimeda spp. reproduce sexually from time-to-time and when it does gametophites (or gametangia depending on the species) grow on the outside segments. This process kills the original plant since it takes nutrients from it to do so. Although sexual reproduction of this algae in our tanks is pretty rare, but if it happens one can expect most of the plants to turn white and crumble away as they die.

The above quote was taken for this page on Halimeda Macroalgae

Hope this answers your question...

 

[NaH2O]

I forgot to mention. If you think about the Halimeda bleaching out and as my quote suggests - crumbling away as they die....the nutrients that they have absorbed would be released back into the water. It may not harm anything, but the excess nutrients may cause a problem if they aren't removed. Does this answer your question? I hope so....that is one of the more difficult aspects of macros...making sure they provide a beneficial service for your system, and not be detrimental.

 

[mojoreef]

Excellent post nikki. Dead on.

Mike

 

[Chimera]

I would guess that your calcium got too low. Halmedia suck calcium like a vampire sucks blood. (Oooo...Graphic....)

Most people don't like it for that reason.

Have you checked your levels lately?

 

[bpm2000]

that about does it.

thanks!