Caulerpa- horror stories?

[Will Penfold]

Luke's post on refugium lighting got me thinking about macro algaes.

Does anyone use grape caulerpa as their macro algae of choice? I've heard horror stories of it going sexual and overrunning a tank.

Anyone experience that? or have overall good luck with it?

In my previous tanks I always struggled to keep chaeto alive (despite having nutrients in the tank and good grow light) So i'm considering trying something other than chaeto this time around.

 

[Bill 6069]

Years ago I had grape caulerpa growing in 100 gallon fish only tank. Everything was good when I went to bed. I left for work before the lights came on but when I got home, the tank was green and most of the fish were dead. I moved the live fish into an upcycled tank. In the end out off twenty or so fish two or three survived. I have never caulerpa since.

 

[Luke_L]

Years ago I had grape caulerpa growing in 100 gallon fish only tank. Everything was good when I went to bed. I left for work before the lights came on but when I got home, the tank was green and most of the fish were dead. I moved the live fish into an upcycled tank. In the end out off twenty or so fish two or three survived. I have never caulerpa since.

holy cow.... ever figure out what happened?

 

[Bill 6069]

I believe the Caulperpa went sexual and poisoned the tank

 

[Will Penfold]

I believe the Caulperpa went sexual and poisoned the tank

yep thats a caulerpa horror story if i've ever heard one. yikes!

 

[Cliff]

I have had it in past tanks for years and never had a problem

 

[Limey]

I struggle to keep Chaeto also, so I now grow (very well) razor leaf algae great for tangs too, as I also found Caulerpa breaks down or goes asexual and disintegrates causing algae blooms in the tank.

 

[Will Penfold]

I struggle to keep Chaeto also, so I now grow (very well) razor leaf algae great for tangs too, as I also found Caulerpa breaks down or goes asexual and disintegrates causing algae blooms in the tank.

Razor leaf algae eh? I'll have to look into that.

I feel like the potential risks of caulerpa outweigh the benefits

 

[Will Penfold]

I struggle to keep Chaeto also, so I now grow (very well) razor leaf algae great for tangs too, as I also found Caulerpa breaks down or goes asexual and disintegrates causing algae blooms in the tank.

Hey Limey, where did you happen to acquire razor leaf algae? I've done some searching online and can't find much on it.

 

[Cliff]

I have some in my fuge right now I can give you
There is a constant battle between razor leaf and chaeto I actually think that razor leaf is winning at the moment

 

[Limey]

I have it plenty and willing to share, I am not sure where I first got it. I have had Razor leaf or variations there off for the past 10 - 15 years

 

[Luke_L]

I have some in my fuge right now I can give you
There is a constant battle between razor leaf and chaeto I actually think that razor leaf is winning at the moment

Next please

 

[Will Penfold]

I have it plenty and willing to share, I am not sure where I first got it. I have had Razor leaf or variations there off for the past 10 - 15 year

Thanks Limey and Cliff for offering some razor leaf. Will gladly take some. Do you want anything for it? Also when could I pick some up?