Macroalgae questions

I've been doing research on this Macroalgae for my Macroalgae/fuge DT. I am ready to order these Macroalage.

One of the reason people don't like Caulerpa, is because they spread so fast, and might go into their DT. Now, if you have Tangs, then this should be ok? correct? as they will basically eat them up ;D I just wanted to make sure before I get them.

I am planning on having all type of Macroalgae, so if you know any macroalgae that I shouldn't get, please share your opinion why.

Thanks

 

From what I have read there can be a problem with some Caulerpa species going sexual(whatever that means) and wiping out the tank.John at reefcleaners.org would be a good one to contact for advise on macroalgae,from what I understand he is quite knowledgable and eager to help with advise.

 

Caulerpa goes sexual as a last ditch effort before it dies, generally speaking. It is almost always the super quick-growing species, such as C. taxifolia (feather Caulerpa), C. racemosa (green grape Caulerpa), or their variants.

These can grow so fast, they actually "smother" themselves, and these sections are usually the part of the algae that "blow". It can also happen when they are outcompeted for nutrients by another species.

Keeping the stuff pruned/thinned out goes a long way to preventing this. However, the macro will indeed "tell" you it's going to "blow". It will get white with green spots (the green spots being the gametes, which is why this is known as sexual reproduction):

Here's a comparison of normal C. racemosa and C. racemosa that is about to go sexual:



Don't be confused with whitish active growth on the tips of the "runners" if you decide to keep macro.

FWIW, We're big users of live macro in our FOWLR systems...they're great for nutrient export, harbor pods, and look nice. One last word, Freeze any "trimmings" for 24 hrs prior to tossing them, as this will ensure that the stuff is dead.

HTH

 

Thank you Greg. I've been reading about these macroalgae going sexual. But it seems like they all talk about Caulerpa in particular. Do you know if other macroalgae actually go sexual as well?

 

Oh yeah,Greg@Lionfishlair is quite knowledgable also!!(lol)

 

I have Dragons Breath macro in my three salt DT's, two of which have Tangs. When I first got a 6" piece, the tang in my 55g munched it down to almost nothing. But, from the remaining 1.5" piece, placed in the non Tang tank, it recovered nicely.

I now have it in all DT's and clip dry algae sheets, such as Nori, in the Tang tanks to divert their attention. This works and has allowed the macro to grow very well; in fact I have to do weekly trimmings as the Tangs cannot keep up.

IMO/IME, Dragons Breath macro is better than Cheato AND looks a lot better.

 

Some can, but not necessarily in the same manner. For instance, I've been told by someone who should know (a Ph.D. in marine plants of some kind), that when Cheatomorpha breaks into little pieces, it has gone sexual, as each little piece is trying to find a home.

Here's a NC12 that we let "blow", just to see what happens:



We lost no livestock, and carbon cleaned up the mess.

 

I've seen Dragons Breath, it looks awesome. Right now, I am just doing research on which Macroalgae that will go sexual and grow rapidly.

Yeah, I guess I am going to pass on Caulerpa, as they sound pretty intimidating when they get sexual. I have a 50g DT macroalgae setup, and ready for other macroalgae. On that pic of NC12, was it cause by Cheatomorpha ?

Oh Greg, I have a question for you since you're the Lionfish expert. Would it be ok to have lionfish in macroalgae/refugium DT? or will they actually eat up all the pods?

Thanks.

 

The macro that "blew" in the NC 12 was C. racemosa, which is one of the "top two" as far as going sexual goes. FWIW, I've never seen C. prolifera or C. serrulata go sexual, as they simply don't grow as rapidly.

The red macros generally grow much more slowly than the greens, but also require less light. If you "overlight" the reds, they will typically respond by growing a bit faster, but they will fade or "brown out" on you, and thus, not look as nice. Botryocladia and Halymenia are two nice reds.

Codium is a nice non-Caulerpa green macro, but many of the macros from this genus tend to like it a bit cooler (low to mid 70's), so you'd want to try and find out its source.

As for lionfish, smaller species or young fish will indeed feed on whatever appropriately-sized pods they come across. IME, lionfish do seem to like stands of macro, but waspfish REALLY love the stuff.

 

Buy the macro? Any local reefers in your area.

In the last year, I've given away at least 5 gallon bags stuffed full of chaeto.

I understand you want a diff. Macro, check with you local reefers though