Macroalgae dying

[yzerman]

I did a search here to find out why my macroalgae is dying by the bunches. I mean, a whole rock at a time! I just bought a foxface rabbitfish two weeks ago and now I have two whole rocks worth of macroalgae on it that died. I bought the foxface to help keep the macroalgae under control and also have a nice looking fish to boot. But now I seem to be losing its good source of food. All my chemical levels are fine and nothing has changed since I owned the tank. (which is a short time) But I just wanted to throw out a line to see if someone knows what I'm doing wrong. Thank you in advance. Eric

 

[celacanthr]

1)What do you mean "rocks" of macroalgae???
2)WHen you say deing, do you mean like you can see the decomposing macroalgae, or do you mean it is disappearing?

 

[yzerman]

I will have a whole side of live rock that was covered in macroalgae turn white in one day. I just changed my bulbs to the same wattage and style two weeks ago. And I have them on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. Could it have anything to do with my protein skimmer? I have noticed more brown slime lately too. I also clean that often. My fish seem to just fine though. Thanks

 

[thomas712]

Could you identify that macro for me, is it a caulerpa?
Sounds exactly like its going sexual, which means its turning white and releasing all the nitrates back into the tank. Its known as Caulerpa Sporulation.
Thomas

 

[yzerman]

Well, the ends of the plants are bowl shaped. Its not a hair type algae. Its trunk are thicker and the tips are bowl shapped. I tried to find it on the net everywhere but couldnt find it. All I could find is places saying it going sexual like you said. If that's the case than I shouldnt worry than right? Other than getting rid of it? I was just worried that something was going wrong in my tank and was killing off all my macroalgae that my foxface likes to munch on. I appreciate your help. Eric