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The brown grasilaria is a macro algae I tried to extinguish, but couldn't. I pruned it regularly and it came back bigger. Finally, I've let it go and grow, especially on the sand bed. Strangely, in just the last couple days I've noticed it is reducing on the sand bed and the back wall. It seems to be dying back. Very interesting!
Why and why now? The snails may be eating it. They may have reached population numbers forcing them to expand their menus to include it. Maybe by letting it grow uncontrolled, it exhausted a critical nutrient, in effect starving itself out. But all the other plants are doing well. I have also let the ulva grow larger and the fern caulerpa is rapidly expanding as well. Maybe one or both are outcompeting for nutrients or maybe its allelopathy-plants' chemical warfare.
Whatever it is, I'll be watching closely. Will it continue on the path to destruction? Will it bottom out and rebound? We shall see!
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As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey
Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
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