Grape Caulerpa?

I just got my DIY refugium installed and added grape caulerpa just wanted to make sure I have the maintance right. Leave lights on 24/7 and make sure its kept trimmed back to keep it from spreading in DT. Is there any sign I shoul watch out for?

 

i would not run the lights 24/7. I would run it on a opposite light cycle.

 

No....not with grape caulpera. Run 24/7 lighting. Otherwise you will be risking a spore-out. That would be bad. I would PM John Maloney on the signs that it is going to spore. There are clues.....I just do not know what they are. I have GC as well as fern caulpera in my fuge. Good stuff. Excellent for nitrate reduction.

 

well I always refer to this thread, I think this is still in debate, but to each their own.I have grape cal in my refuge and have never had a problem with it on a separate light cycle.Also I have yet to see any real facts that the plant releases toxins back into the water. Not saying it doesn't just haven't seen any hard evidence on it.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/refugium/cheato-has-morphed-another-plant-need-id-59427.html

 

how much caulerpa do I want to keep in my tank here is a pic of my setup. I heard if you dont keep it trimed then it could spore-so what is to much?

 

I used to think that the spore-up thing was a myth. Well it happened to me. I run my fuge lights on the reverse cycle and got lazy about keeping it trimmed and one night the main display tank filled with a thick green cloud.All the corals closed up,it was horrible.
I watched it happen,so I was able to go to the LFS,get water and do a 30% water change.Now I keep a close eye on the plants growth

 

All refugium plants release chlorophyll all the time this is why with running a refugium carbon is a must and where many got into trouble with 24/7 lighting aside from the stressing the plants to the point of death from lack of not allowing the plants to release their waste product or up take their nuturients they need dark to eat and light to release waste . Chlorophylls are also released , this causes the yelllow looking water.

 

You never trim it you just pull it out and toss it I have seen many actually take scissors and cut the stuff like hair or a lawn LOL then the guy ends do to water what fresh cut grass and weeds do to shoes when worn to cut the grass it bleeds green . 20 to 25 yrs ago refugiums where so simple

 

sorry by trim I meant to say to thin out by removing some

 

+1 to that, my refuge lights come on an hour before the main lights go off and go off an hour after the main lights turn back on.I also run carbon for that reason you pointed out.