Caulerpa care...

[LNell]

I purchased Caulerpa for my sump a few months ago. When I got it, I could not get it to attach to the rock I had in the sump. The water flow in the sump is pretty high so the caulerpa was slowly torn apart after a few weeks. How should I get the algae attached in the future? Should I tie it to the rock? Is the high flow okay for the caulerpa?

I have two 20w flourescents above the 20g tank. Will this be sufficient? If not, how much would be recommended?

Lastly, if I add a lot of caulerpa, would that make a protein skimmer obsolete?

Thanks,
Lucas

 

[ggfish]

It would probably be best if you could install some baffles in the sump to lower the flow a little bit, you could also tie the weed to some rock useing fishing wire then remove it when it has atached,the lighting should be fine as long as the tank isn't a 20gal high tank,and adding more really isnt nessisary as it removes nutrients it will grow and you need to harvest it periodiclly,also I feel that useing both is the way to go,Good Luck Happy Reefing.

 

[kmk2307]

Hi Lucas,

[welcome]

Caulerpa can still grow like mad if it isn't attached. I don't think you have enough lighting. I use two 45 watt screw-in compact fluorescent lamps in metal dome-shaped light fixtures (the kind used as shop lights or terrarium light fixtures) on my 20L 'fuge. The amount of Caulerpa you will be able to grow in a 20 gallon tank will not make a skimmer obsolete.

 

[StoutLager]

Lights: That should be enough if they are the right spectrum. I cannot tell you which is best for the plants.
I have been told that periodically, the Caleurpa goes "sexual" or "asexual" and that is when it then dies (becomes white) and pollutes your tank. I have been told that you must have light on it 24hours a day to prevent this.
Skimmer: No this will not replace your skimmer, it is invaluable.