Gracilaria Changing Color

[Fishdude]

Hi,

I just bought some yellow, red, and brown gracilaria algae. Within a couple of days, their colors seem to have changed. The yellow especially has become a light brown. Anyone have any idea why and if it's a cause for concern? Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Not enought nutrients and flow.

 

[Anonymous]

and lighting

That's what I would think, without knowing any of your parameters.

has it started to disinigrate, or break into smaller pieces yet?

 

[Anonymous]

What GreshamH said :lol:. What type of lighting, etc do you have?

 

[Fishdude]

Thanks for the replies. I have a 40 gallon with three 95W VHO bulbs (Actinic, Actinic White, and Aquasun). Is that not enough lighting? The algae has not started breaking apart yet.

 

[Anonymous]

The thing with gracilaria that is hard, is it needs to tumble gently, but evenly. It can't have shaded parts for too long. It also needs pretty high nutrients to really thrive. Your lighting sounds fine though, although, if this is just a fuge, I'd go with all daylight and no actinic. It's not a problem if not, but you'd get better growth out of all your macro with using just daylight.

 

[Anonymous]

gracilaria? Tumbling?

Mine binds to everything (including glass) and is nearly impossible to dislodge after it does.

Mine also changed colors. Near the top of the tank, it gets more light than it needs and bleaches. My red turns a nice gradient color from deep red thru yellow to white for the stuff floating above the water line.

I have the dang stuff everywhere and I am almost wishing that I never bought it. I take the stuff out of the tank in 5 gallon buckets. It _is_ however a GREAT nutrient consumer, sooo..... YMMV

I agree with Gresham on the lighting. 6500K Daylight or 3500K NO flourescents should be fine.