Question about Cladophora

[Ruadh]

I've read the "Trouble in Plantland" thread where Myka mentioned having trouble with Cladophora.

Is this the same Cladophora that is known elswhere as Japanese Moss Balls?

As in this URL? Japanese moss balls, Cladophora aegagropila, with pictures

While I'm at it, Tom and the rest of you people, you are a terrific help to those of us trying to develop a wet thumb.

Thank you very much

Rick

 

[Philosophos]

Cladophora covers a lot of ground as a genus:

Cladophora Kützing, 1843: 262 :: Algaebase

For a while marimo balls were covered by this, and there are other kinds of clado that form small balls that live in north american rivers. It can be a marine or FW algae. Good luck pinning down the species without a microscope and decent knowledge of algae.

-Philosophos

 

[Ruadh]

Thank you my Guru friend.

That's what I was wondering.
I saw a site with this stuff growing in a Texas river and started to question things.

And besides I thought it might get a discussion going, if we're lucky, and we can learn some more.

Rick

 

[Myka]

You know, oddly enough the nuisance Cladophora showed up a week after I added a Marimo Ball to the tank. I later found out the Marimo ball is a type of Clado as well, and sold it to someone else because I was paranoid. Could be a coincidence, or maybe not...?

 

[ceg4048]

Hi,
This is strictly coincidence. Clado is definitely due to poor nutrition. When faced with a Clado bloom, one need look no further than one's nutrient/CO2 regimen.

Cheers,

 

[Philosophos]

Poor nutrition would contribute, but dumping in a massive culture of the wrong species of clado would make it much easier for it to multiply. True marimo balls typically aren't so bad, but the north american varietal (can't remember the name) that forms similar balls are much more prone to causing issues as far as I remember.

While I haven't confirmed anything because I'm not all that interested in marimo balls, I wouldn't be all that surprised if the north americans species has been sold commonly under the guise of being the japanese (and now recently european) type of algae ball.

One question, has anyone tried keeping these balls under mildly brackish condition? Noticed anything interesting in the growth rate? I've got a theory I want to test, but I'm not about to do it if it's already been done.

-Philosophos