Been trying to grow Ulva in round land-based tanks, however the experiment has always failed because the Ulva always ends up breaking into small pieces or turning white and dying out. Until now can't figure out why this keeps happening. Any suggestions?
Thank you
Dear Shamira
What is the source of your Ulva, is it collected from a free-floating form or harvested from the intertidal/or rockpools where it is attached? If you are trying to grow it vegetatively you need to find a form that is already in this state, from my experience I have never had any success growing Wild Ulva that has been harvested and removed from its holdfast, not to say it is not possible but I have never had it work myslef.
When you say the Ulva is breaking into small species, is the water turning green at all? Ulva breaks apart when it sporulates so this could be happening, have a look under a microscope for spores to confirm.
The Ulva turning white could be due to the Ulva dying and being bleaching by the sun, is it floating exposed at the surface at all?
If you have more information to my questions above I may be able to help further.
Warm regards
Mark
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