My first thought would be examine the amount of light. For fw plants the amount
of light you are looking for is between 2-4 watts/gal. The 2 watts is for the
plants needing less light like anubias, java fern, crypts. 4 watts is for many
bunch plants and amazon swords. As you get into the higher light intensities you
need to add CO2 and a liquid fertilizer to maximize growth. But again, this is
fw; I'm not sure about marine algae. Caulerpa, a tropical marine algae, grows
well in reef tanks (high light intensity and plenty of micro nutrients).
Bob, your experience with Ulva is exactly like mine; though, I never went out of
my way to try to make it grow. Like you said it just sits there.
I would throw as much light at it as you can.. The light should be full
spectrum. If you have a 2 tube reflector, maybe add an actinic bulb? Look into
some coral trace elements if you really want to go crazy. I'd start with the
light and try to determine what your next limiting factor is going to be. Good
luck.
Don't know if we want to continue this off line.
Dave Littlehale
Karotin Bugsy wrote:
> If you really want to
> get into this indepth...read the sears-conlin paper on
> the krib. A copy of this paper can be found at---->
> http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/....I
> recommend this to anyone who keeps aquatic plants.
>
> > >Speaking of plants, anyone have experience with
> > tank raising marine
> > >macroalgae? (Natives, especially.) I'm trying to
> > get some water lettuce to
> > >grow, (ulva lactuca) but it just kind of sits
> > there, not growing and not
> > >dying.
> >
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