What are these 2 marine plants?

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by reefnJeff, Sep 9, 2012.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. reefnJeff

    reefnJeff Pajama Cardinal

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    1,412
    Location:
    Saint Cloud, MN
    I bought 7lbs of some tonga branching rock and found one with this tiny amount of marine plant growing on it, can you tell me what they are?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Click Here!

  3. Reeron

    Reeron Blue Ringed Angel

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Messages:
    1,550
    Location:
    Kingston, NY
    The stuff on the left looks like either caulerpa nummularia or caulerpa racemosa. I'd say it looks more like nummularia. Both can be extremely invasive, so unless you really know what you are doing, I'd remove it. The stuff on the right looks like chaeto. That is very safe and I'd recommend to keep it as it will help to remove nitrates and phosphates from the water.

    Here's a link that shows the caulerpa:

    http://www.reefdup.com/2012/04/13/algae-green/
     
  4. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2009
    Messages:
    2,390
    Location:
    Ft Washington, MD
    Not sure about the stuff on the left but the stuff on the right looks like a few strands of chateo.
     
  5. reefnJeff

    reefnJeff Pajama Cardinal

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    1,412
    Location:
    Saint Cloud, MN
    ohhh! caulerpa and chaeto. very cool! I read lots on here about chaeto, there both in my sump/refugium right now. should I still get rid of the caulerpa in there?
     
  6. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    I'd get rid of the caulerpa, good chance it goes sexual on you and turns into a nightmare:(
     
  7. Bella127

    Bella127 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    43
    Calurpa and cheap
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. reefnJeff

    reefnJeff Pajama Cardinal

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    Messages:
    1,412
    Location:
    Saint Cloud, MN
    OK! i'll get rid of that, I been alternating the lighting, when my MT lights our on, my refugium lights are off and ETC. Hope that chaeto takes off for me, I also got some shaving brush growing real nice in there.
     
  10. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Messages:
    3,517
    Location:
    Central MA
    If you read up on Caulerpa, it can actually be quite beneficial if you monitor it daily.
     
  11. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    so is chaeto without the potential problems;)
     
  12. Marshall O

    Marshall O Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2012
    Messages:
    3,517
    Location:
    Central MA
    Agreed, just saying not everyone should just dismiss it right away without even reading up on it 8)