C. Prolifera question and light bulb question

[jbvdhp]

I have very limited space in my sump so I am using a HOB filter as an area to grow macro, not for nutrient control, but an area for pods to grow. Will have rubble in it too. Anyway...

1) does c. Prolifera need sand or rubble to attach to to grow or can It kinda float and grow in the water column in the HOB, sorta like chaeto?

2) has anyone used this bulb from eBay and if so, does it help to grow macro as it states? I have one and it seems rich in the red spectrum.
http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/400988135129


Thanks for the quick help RC

 

[Subsea]

Yes, you can grow Prolifera like that. It may not look pretty. Just keep it thinned it regularly. Consider Ulva because it is more universally eaten. Ulva out competes both Chaeto and Calurpae Prolifera & Paspoides.

 

[Subsea]

Macro and higher level plants use both red and blue spectrum. Also, typically a white LED is composed of RGB.

 

[jbvdhp]

Thank you subsea, when you say keep it thin do you mean like cut it in half? Or does trimming it mean trimming like half the leaves? Sorry I've never run c. Prolifera. Usually chaeto but I was given a fair amount of this stuff.

 

[GriffinMarsh]

I have had some reservations adding caulerpa to SPS dominate aquariums. Early in my reef adventures, I had various species of caulerpa occupy my refugium spaces. I noticed that some of my SPS weren't growing as rapidly as others which lead me to research reasons. I came across some alkaloids produced by caulerpa can stunt growth of SPS. I think it was found in c. taxifolia mostly, but others like grape caulerpa have high levels of these toxins as well. I might be worth it to research these in prolifera.

 

[Subsea]

Thank you subsea, when you say keep it thin do you mean like cut it in half? Or does trimming it mean trimming like half the leaves? Sorry I've never run c. Prolifera. Usually chaeto but I was given a fair amount of this stuff.

When it starts growing thick, I tear it apart. You could cut it in half just as easily.

In my opinion, if you are using any vegetable filter then activated carbon should be used 24/7.

With respect to a small HOB refugium for pods, leave macro out and put more rubble. In this case, biodiversity is not better.

 

[jbvdhp]

When it starts growing thick, I tear it apart. You could cut it in half just as easily.

In my opinion, if you are using any vegetable filter then activated carbon should be used 24/7.

With respect to a small HOB refugium for pods, leave macro out and put more rubble. In this case, biodiversity is not better.

Thanks. I never meant for the macro to be a nutrient export as my nutrients are very low anyway.

The problem is I have a bunch of leopard wrasses so I am seeing if I can supplement the pod growth. I just thought I needed macro for the pods? I have plenty of rubble to use if that's all I need for pods.

 

[Subsea]

Pods will eat micro algae that covers all surfaces. No need to provide light.

 

[jbvdhp]

I ended up scrapping the idea of c. Prolifera and got some stuff like dragons tongue and other things from a local reefer.

Thanks guys!

C. Prolifera is a beautiful one for sure, and if I didn't have leopard wrasses I would have contemplated letting it grow on the tank substrate. It would look awesome, scary, but awesome.