I want to put macro algae in my main tank what kind????

[fishykid9212]

Right now I have somee grape caulerpra in a nano cube I was told if I put it in my main tank it will take over. Is their any thing that wont take over the tank but will spread AND stay alive with a stars and stripes puffer, french angel, hipoo tang, naso tang and cuban hog?

 

[kmk2307]

fishykid9212,

What kind of lighting do you have? Caulerpa is so easily removed that I don't see why so many people are afraid that it will "take over." If you want something that will grow and benefit your water quality, my vote is caulerpa. C. racemosa/lentillifera both rarely "go sexual" so they are pretty safe, too. Halimeda, Penicillus, Rhipocephalus, and Udotea are very slow growing, non invasive algae that usually grow out of mud / sand. They need lots of calcium and low phosphates, though. Seagrasses might also do well. Maiden's Hair (Chlorodesmis) is another possibility but most people don't have good luck w/ this algae.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[pledosophy]

never had any problems with caluphera in my systems. What about a shaving bush or mangrooves. Same functions.

 

[fishykid9212]

ok so do you think the grape caulerpra wont take over the tank and If I could ever remove it would I be able to. Also where can i get some for a cheap price. Note I live in NH and its cold so I don't want the stuff to freez. Thanks a bundle
edit: I dont want to do anything with calcium I want something easy and all those fish I mentioned won't eat it? -thanks again

 

[kmk2307]

Check out www.billsreef.com, http://www.liveplants.gulf-coast.net/macroalgae.htm, www.floridapets.com, the selling forums here, online auction sites, etc.

Be sure your lighting meets the growth requirements of this algae before you bother to buy some, though.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[ol'salty]

I don't think you will get much plant growth with your tangs. My sailfin demolished my grape caulerpa!

 

[Mihai]

Man, I can't remove Caluerpa racemosa from a 1"x1" patch. I mean, I can pluck the top, but the holdfast stays and grows again in one week. My strong recommendation is to avoid Caluerpa (on the other hand kmk has more experience, maybe he has a better method of removing it).

Have a look at this: http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=62132 and notice the member that took apart all his tank due to racemosa...

M.

 

[blix70]

chaetomorpha, it doesn't cling to anything.

 

[kmk2307]

IME if you just grab the "runner" and pull it'll come up. If it breaks, pull from where it broke off at. New individuals may be able to form from rhizoids that were left behind but they can be plucked out also.

 

[Mihai]

IME if you just grab the "runner" and pull it'll come up. If it breaks, pull from where it broke off at. New individuals may be able to form from rhizoids that were left behind but they can be plucked out also.

Yes, the runner comes out easy, the problem is that the rhizoids keep coming back week after week (I pull the runner out weekly) and they seem to spread despite the plucking!

M.