refugium - Caulerpa Algae crash

[khengchuan]

Recently I bought some macro alga, that come stick with rock.
I put it in sump,....the sand is fine coral sand.
I put it 24/7 with lighting (Original Tropical Lamp - Ideal for encouraging plant growth in a freshwater aquarium - by www.arcadia-uk.com)
Just in 3 days, the alga don't seems to grow but crash......what's the reason?
Need help....izzit due to lack of iodine ? or my lighitng is not proper....

 

[mr . salty]

I doubt if the lighting or iodine has anything to do with it.Probably just weak algae.
How about too much circulation in the 'fuge???

 

[eddie g]

Below is some info that came with the Caulerpa sp. that I bought on an auction on ----.
Typically, Caolerpa will show signs of regression 3-5 days after harvesting, regardless of the condition it appeared to be in when you received it. Common signs of regression are loss of green color (whittish appearance) on the rhizoids (long shafts) and the leaves, or grape clusters. Damage to the plant takes time to recover. Leave all the white sections alone; they will rejuvenate. If you can, bury a few of the broken ends into the substrate so it can anchor and recover quicker.
Trim any black mushy ends, from the plant and discard. Leave all other sections of Caulerpa undisturbed in the tank and observe. The Caulerpa should be green in two to four weeks if properly stored away from predation and other life altering factors. They will grow like weeds after that.

 

[jonthefb]

the other thing you might consider is that caulerpa acts a a filter by using nitrates and disssolved organics to grow. what is your bioload like in your tank. i know of your post about the corals above, but what about fish, what kind of animals do you have that produce waste? this waste is what the algae break down and use to grow.. on my 135 when i first started it and had the fuge running on my 75 w/fish before is switched it to the 135, teh caulerpa grew like weeds, but then after bieng on my 135 w.o any animals to help cycle tank, i had a lot of die off because there were no nutrients in the tank. just somethign to consider!
good luck
jon