Algae ID

[Imbarrie]

What is this and how does it affect my tank?

It grows very quickly and makes for great nutrient export, but recently someone mentioned it could be sucking up calcium.

I use two part and calc / PH good.

Just wondering what other problems this could cause me.

 

[beerfish]

Grape Caulerpa, and it is not calcareous, so it will not suck up any notable amount of calcium. It will however, grow quickly and is hard to remove. There is also a chance with any caulerpa of it "going sexual" and making a bit of a mess in the tank.

 

[Imbarrie]

I caught it going sexual once, it drained all its color so I pulled it out.

Apart from that it has been fine.

 

[beerfish]

I used to have it in my tank. If you prune it regularly, it can be a nice addition. I'm not sure exactly where it is, but there's an article on properly pruning it somewhere (try google). You basically want to squeeze the stem between your fingers to avoid stressing it.

 

[Imbarrie]

Thats good, I have been pruning it just like that.

I just pulled a couple handfuls out but I will have plenty more if anyone wants some.

 

[ming]

It doesn't absorb calcium, but it can grow to a point where its everywhere. You have to make sure you prune it because if nutrient levels get too low, it goes sexual. You can tell its going sexual because the stems start becoming semi transparent, and after that, it releases it into the water turning your tank water very cloudy (this happens as fast as overnight). I never heard anything about pruning it properly, I just yank it out

 

[Imbarrie]

Ive caught it going sexual, the green becomes more splotchy and eventually goes away.

But I caught it. Hope this doesnt happen a lot.

Recently started running phosban in a reactor. Hopefully this keeps it from blooming again, and Im going to keep it under control.

 

[jrobbins]

i think it is illegal to have that stuff in Cali as if it gets into the ocean it goes nuts and crowds out native species. just be sure to freeze it before you throw it away.