What type of plants for fuge?

[wally311]

I know this has been posted a million times, but I could't find it with a search. I want to stay away from caleurpa in my fuge, so what's the best alt.?

 

[brandon4291]

Some people like to use Mangroves but IMO they don't do much for nitrogen fixation--slow growers.

I personally like caulerpa racemosa, it works well in my system and is a rapid grower, doing the job I need it to do.

What are your concerns about using one of the caulerpas?

I haven't had any yet but I read that spaghetti macro (gen/sp?) works well and is very hardy.

brandon429

 

[LA-Lawman]

Not tto hijack a post.....

Brandon... how big is ur fuge.... do you have a DSB in it? and what lights do you use to light it and for how long.... (NO, PC's) and spectrum please...


thanks

 

[reefsRcool]

thank matt and tom for this info

Chaetomorpha is an ideal alternative to Caulerpa algae. It doesn't seem to go sexual, grows almost as fast and is an excellent home for zooplankton. Amphipods, copepods and Isopods spend quite some time in it's dense protection. This algae grows in a massive tight ball with many openings. It grows faster under bright light, but can be sustained under relatively low light as well.


i use this in my fuge and am pleased with it. depending on where you live i would be willing to ship some to you as long as you cover postage. mine grows quickly usually doubling every three-four weeks so it just becomes dumpster feed anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll second the chaetomorpha

 

[danmhippo]

Chaetomorpha is a good choice. If you want "leafy" look of the macro's, I'd suggest Caulerpa prolifera. These are rarely go sexual either and they adapt to both high light and mid light condition. Their glossy elogated broad leaf has an elegance touch.

 

[reefsRcool]

my line of thinking is who cares what the refugium looks like it's function function function. i had a variety of conventional macros going in mine and was quite pleased or so i thought. then i lost my fug lighting for almost two months due to crappy burt up LOA unit and lack of funds to do it right. when i started fresh i went with the "brillo" as my ex called it. Chaetomorpha harbors so many pods when i want to give my tank a treat i just grap a chunk and shake it in the main tank 20-30 pods fall out of it and i get to watch my dottyback go on the hunt. it's neat. both work though so i guess it's up to your personal preferance.

 

[wally311]

Thanks for the info!
Hey reefsRcool, I would definitely be interested in some of the chaetomorpha, but I am still in teh planning stages of my next reef. I might be moving in a couple of months, so that's when I'd set it up. I just got done biulding my sump/fuge and will start on the new lighting next, so that when I Move, everything's ready to go. If you don't mind, I may try and contact you when I set up, and am more than willing to pay for shipping and your time and effort. However, I live in KS, so I don't know how it will fare. Anyway, I've rambled long enough. Thanks again. :lol:

 

[LittleFish1]

Hi guys,

Wud appreciate if u cud post some pic of the various caulerpa mentioned. I'm going to DIY my 17gal into Refugium. A pic of yr refugium wud be great too.

Spaghetti macro, Racemosa, Chaetomorpha, Prolifera.

Beside watching out for caulerpa turning sexual, what other things should I look out for before my refugium becomes a disaster of no return.

Thanks.

 

[reefsRcool]

have a backup plan incase of lighting failure. or do it right the first time. i know alot of people here like using the lights of america PC units from home depot but i smoked two of them. i now use a twin 32watt fixture from champion, it was more then i wanted to spend but it (so far) has been trouble free.