Halemeda growing?

Snelly40 · 04-29-2008, 11:27 PM

hey guys,

so about a month ago i noticed some small halemeda on a rock, most places i look say this is ok to have in the tank and that it is calcium based.

Well its a month later and one stalk has turned into like 15 and its growing like crazy, at this same time my params are great but some LPS's of mine dont look as good as they did.

1) Could the halemeda be robbing corals of much needed calcium
2) should i remove it or let it stay?
3) any other tips??

thanks guys

BoomerD · 04-29-2008, 11:30 PM

Halimedia is indeed a calcium sucker....Personally, while I like the look of it when it's small, I always get rid of it. It shades corals as it gets tall, and it sucks the calcium out of the water.
Here's an article by Kirby Adams on the stuff:

Halimeda: The Cactus Algae by Kirby Adams - Reefkeeping.com

Triggerjay · 04-29-2008, 11:36 PM

I recently cleaned my fuge of it... when my Ca levels dropped to 230!!! My 55g fuge was about 1/2 full of it. Only Chaeto for me now!

Jason

Snelly40 · 04-29-2008, 11:42 PM

thanks boom, if u remove it so will i...
also i n reading that article i noticed this... "The calcification does, however, remove the valuable calcium and carbonate building blocks from the system and can therefore greatly increase the demand for these elements. Halimeda must essentially be treated as a stony coral regarding their demand for proper levels of calcium and carbonate hardness. This isn't much of a concern for the average reef-keeper who already maintains these levels religiously, but it must be kept in mind that large masses of Halimeda can drain a system of both calcium and carbonate"

well at least my calcium levels are good, but its gone

BoomerD · 04-30-2008, 12:04 AM

I always took mine to my favorite LFS and traded it in...got some pretty good trade credit for it.

corrado007 · 04-30-2008, 01:13 AM

I loved mine, it added a lot to the tank. Unfortunately it does rob the tank of Ca and shade the corals below as mentioned above. Additionally, I found that it became so dense so quickly that it would block flow to parts of the tank and create dead spots. I too removed mine.

Disciple882542 · 04-30-2008, 10:04 AM

I've got a small amount growing at many locations in my tank. I don't mind it at all though. If it gets too tall or dense I prune. IMO, the halimeda makes things look a little more "alive" when it's under control. I can definately see the other side of the coin when it's out of control.

God bless,
Chris

dobejazz · 04-30-2008, 12:00 PM

I like the look of a little of it - I usually just pull out a bunch or prune it every so often

04-29-2008, 11:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,098 View Gallery Karma Komment	Halemeda growing? hey guys, so about a month ago i noticed some small halemeda on a rock, most places i look say this is ok to have in the tank and that it is calcium based. Well its a month later and one stalk has turned into like 15 and its growing like crazy, at this same time my params are great but some LPS's of mine dont look as good as they did. 1) Could the halemeda be robbing corals of much needed calcium 2) should i remove it or let it stay? 3) any other tips?? thanks guys __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

04-29-2008, 11:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? Halimedia is indeed a calcium sucker....Personally, while I like the look of it when it's small, I always get rid of it. It shades corals as it gets tall, and it sucks the calcium out of the water. Here's an article by Kirby Adams on the stuff: Halimeda: The Cactus Algae by Kirby Adams - Reefkeeping.com __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

04-29-2008, 11:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Triggerjay Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 2,071 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Halemeda growing? I recently cleaned my fuge of it... when my Ca levels dropped to 230!!! My 55g fuge was about 1/2 full of it. Only Chaeto for me now! Jason __________________ The start of my journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...xperience.html My current journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ld-thread.html My clownfish breeding log: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ne-fishes.html

04-29-2008, 11:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,098 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? thanks boom, if u remove it so will i... also i n reading that article i noticed this... "The calcification does, however, remove the valuable calcium and carbonate building blocks from the system and can therefore greatly increase the demand for these elements. Halimeda must essentially be treated as a stony coral regarding their demand for proper levels of calcium and carbonate hardness. This isn't much of a concern for the average reef-keeper who already maintains these levels religiously, but it must be kept in mind that large masses of Halimeda can drain a system of both calcium and carbonate" well at least my calcium levels are good, but its gone __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

04-30-2008, 12:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? I always took mine to my favorite LFS and traded it in...got some pretty good trade credit for it. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

04-30-2008, 01:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 764 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? I loved mine, it added a lot to the tank. Unfortunately it does rob the tank of Ca and shade the corals below as mentioned above. Additionally, I found that it became so dense so quickly that it would block flow to parts of the tank and create dead spots. I too removed mine. __________________ Justin _________________________________ Please watch out for motorcycles (look twice, it could save a life). 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, Octopus NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 12k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Bluespot Jawfish, paired Yellow Watchman Goby & Red Striped Pistol Shrimp, paired O Clowns, 1 Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Scooter Blenny, and a Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse). updated 7/11/09 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

04-30-2008, 10:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
Disciple882542 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 280 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? I've got a small amount growing at many locations in my tank. I don't mind it at all though. If it gets too tall or dense I prune. IMO, the halimeda makes things look a little more "alive" when it's under control. I can definately see the other side of the coin when it's out of control. God bless, Chris __________________ Job 11:13-20

04-30-2008, 12:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,248 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Halemeda growing? I like the look of a little of it - I usually just pull out a bunch or prune it every so often __________________ Kelli

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