Hi, I'v been thinking about different display tanks and an idea came to mind that I need some help with. I like fresh water planted tanks with the open aquascapes and carpeting plants. Would this be possible with Caulerpa?
The idea is a large tank at 120g a shallow sand bed, and one dominate caulerpa species. The two I like most are Caulerpa Mexicana and Caulerpa Prolifera.
Both Species are a nice color and don't grow to tall. The Mexicana being shorter and probably the one id select.
What I would want to avoid is it massing on-top of each other. I would like to keep it full and low.
I'll number these questions to make replying simpler. Assume Caulerpa Mexicana primarily, and Prolifera as a bonus if you like.
1. How does caulerpa respond to aggressive cutting, like taking a scissor and cutting for height. Do the leafs cut die off, does it affect or kill it off at the stem? Do cutting float upward or sink?
2. Assuming I get rapid growth with dosing if needed to correct for plant health, how often would one need to trim back to manage a tank like I described above? Once a week? Twice a week?
3. Clean up crew? Algae Blenny safe?
4. Filtration? I plan skimmer, and socks (possible roller fleece if new ones come online).
5. Feasible? Or a nightmare? I am looking to create a very bright and green tank with movement treated similarly to a FOWLR, but with small reef safe fish, macros and handful of inverts. Red Grap Caulerpra would possibly be added at some time as well. Corals I would probably include down the road, be some mushrooms and gorgonians.
Thanks for any help. Really want to know about the cutting it back part most of all.
The idea is a large tank at 120g a shallow sand bed, and one dominate caulerpa species. The two I like most are Caulerpa Mexicana and Caulerpa Prolifera.
Both Species are a nice color and don't grow to tall. The Mexicana being shorter and probably the one id select.
What I would want to avoid is it massing on-top of each other. I would like to keep it full and low.
I'll number these questions to make replying simpler. Assume Caulerpa Mexicana primarily, and Prolifera as a bonus if you like.
1. How does caulerpa respond to aggressive cutting, like taking a scissor and cutting for height. Do the leafs cut die off, does it affect or kill it off at the stem? Do cutting float upward or sink?
2. Assuming I get rapid growth with dosing if needed to correct for plant health, how often would one need to trim back to manage a tank like I described above? Once a week? Twice a week?
3. Clean up crew? Algae Blenny safe?
4. Filtration? I plan skimmer, and socks (possible roller fleece if new ones come online).
5. Feasible? Or a nightmare? I am looking to create a very bright and green tank with movement treated similarly to a FOWLR, but with small reef safe fish, macros and handful of inverts. Red Grap Caulerpra would possibly be added at some time as well. Corals I would probably include down the road, be some mushrooms and gorgonians.
Thanks for any help. Really want to know about the cutting it back part most of all.