macroalgeas and copepods

[tjswan]

Hi i am tracey and i have a 125 gallon reef tank , it inhabits a pair of onxy clowns, a pair of mandrians , 1 watchman goby and several draco marine seahorses. I have a miracle mud refugium that i do a reverses cycle lighting and it contains calurpa.

1. how do i know when to harvest it and how do i do so without losing the life in it?

I would love for the horses to have a natural habitat . i only like the weird or different looking green macros, love all the reds, and love the irridescent golden/brown.....

2. where is the best place to find the best price on these type of algeas? i mean 25 dollars for a strand on a rock seems a little high to me but if that is the going rate or maybe someone can hook me up.

I have in my main tank some regular calurpa, and some chaeto just till i can get something better i needed it for nutrient control

3. I am scared that the regular calurpa is going sexual as it doesnt look the same what are the signs of this and how can i prevent it? also if i want to harvest some how do i do that ? can i just break it off?

thanks any and everone who helps me out
tracey

 

[graveyardworm]

1. There's no set time to harvest it may be different for each system and up to the individuals preferences. Harvest whenever you think it looks necessary.

To preserve as much life as possible you could shake it out a bit before removing it from the tank, or do like I do and take it to the sink with a bowl of tank water and pick through it over a bucket saving what you can see that you want. Some things are also bound to fall into the bucket where you can save them as well.

2. The best/cheapest way to get some would be a LFS or a nearby club or reefer. Check the sticky at the top of this forum for online places to buy it. Florida pets isnt too far from you so shipping shouldnt be too bad.

3. When caulerpa sporulates ( goes sexual ) it becomes pale or transluscent with green viens or spots visible within the tissue. If this is noticed it is a good idea to remove as much of the affected plant as possible before it disintegrates and causes water quality problems.

When you harvest try not to break it up too much. It does release a toxin caulerpenyne which can be harmful to other critters in your tank. Using activated carbon would be a good idea as well.

 

[tjswan]

thanks david , florida pets is in the process of moving so i am not sure what they will have after the move but they really seemed like nice people.
tracey