Macro for my fuge? (1 Viewer)

[robrog]

My tank is currently cycling and I am planning on adding some macro algae to my fuge. I know that after the cycle there are going to be some algae blooms. Should I just let the natural blooms happen and then later on add the macro, or should I add the macro in hopes of limiting the algae blooms? Would just letting the natural algae blooms happen make my tank more stable in the long run?

When I do add the macro which is the better option, caulerpa or cheatomorphia? Or are there other options I should consider? I know that caulerpa can go sexual if not lighted 24/7 so I am leaning towards not using it if I can find something better. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Guest]

I'd say go ahead and add it. I added it to mine approx. 3wks into my cycle and it seemed to do fine. I still have it in my refugium and it's growing like weeds. My algae blooms were at a minimum (although I had a few) but I think it helped.

 

[robrog]

Only one reply so far, and with a user name like "imnotsure" it is not inspiring confidence. Maybe I should change my name to "imnotsureeither"......

Seriously though, thanks for the input! I was figuring that I could just add it at the end of the cycle and it probably wouldn't hurt anything. Any other ideas on which is the best macro to go with?

 

[Guest]

OK, what I really want to hear from someone, is what are the good things about the Caulerpa species? I have the 3 of the most common ones. I am trying to get rid of the grape as it invades the LR. The feather I just pulled as I saw the signs of it going sexual. Thank goodness for the latest reefkeeping.com article on this topic, I got them out in time! One thing that I noticed that the article did not point out is that the runner (the stolen) was clear when I yanked it out. Most of the Caulerpa that I have left is the common prolifera, and I'll only keep it until I see signs of it going sexual as well. I obviously do not have my lights on 24hrs/day.

Google "Caulerpa" and you'll find nothing but hate for the stuff. The only people who have something nice to say about it are trying to sell it to you. If you are hiding this fuge then I would probably just throw in some Chaetomorpha. I don't think that enough people are working on display refugiums. There are a lot of cool macroalgae species out there, and even some true plants like mangroves and grasses.

Also on reefkeeping.com, this article is a good read ( by Eric Borneman ):
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/eb/index.htm

 

[Guest]

I'm really not sure after reading the link from reefkeeping . I have seen in the past (but not since I've had this tank going) the grape and feather go sexual, and it wasn't a pretty sight. The whole tank turned cloudy green. So far, I have in my fuge grape and feather which came on a rock that was barren when I purchased it that started growing like weeds thereafter. Also I have chaeto, red grape, and some other kind that looks like grass you grow in your yard w/runners-I'm not sure what the name is. From what I've seen so far the red grape seems to grow slower than the others, but better under metal helides. I have 2 different plants of the red grape that I alternate monthly from the main tank to the fuge-due to the fact that it grows much faster under the metal helides. It is also not supposed to go sexual. I guess the only pos thing I can say about it is that the red grape looks really nice in a tank or the fuge.

I'm sure about this

 

[Guest]

I had grape for almost three years with no problems execpt that it grew too well and required a lot of work to keep it from taking over the place. IMO, to keep caulerpa from going sexual, give it medium to strong lighting (mine grew like crazy under 110w of PC), and prune it regularly. the clear ends on the runners is new growth.

 

[robrog]

Thanks for the helpful input. When my numbers are looking good and everything is stable I'll add some macro and see what happens. With any luck I'll be a fuge farmer in no time!