Marine Aquarium Sciences
Water Quality Data
for our Marine Algae Culture System
The marine algae system circulates 55 gallons of tropical seawater through several small culture tanks. The system is located in our SM greenhouse to utilize natural sunlight for growing conditions.
Additional light is provided by 2 flourescent bulbs; 40 watt actinics, over the Gracialaria tank. This particular algae does best under strong "blue" light and shaded daylighting. The photoperiod of the actinic light is set for 6 hours, 11:00am - 5:00 pm.
This system currently has no chiller running to stabilize the temperature as we approach the warm spring and summer months. Daytime ambient temperatures exceed 85-93 degrees Farenheit and the entire system varies over 12 degrees in 24 hours! For most of the species cultivated, there is very little impact on algae growth. .
Three species of marine alage are cultivated: C. mexicana, C. racemosa. C. serloides and Gracialaria sp.
