If caulerpa dies, would it turn your tank water green?

[AstroCreep]

Im wondering this because my light on my refugium went out and i just noticed today because when i got home my tank water was a beautifull green, which promted me to freak out....open the doors on my refugium and low and behold, all my caulerpa is white.... but besides that, i was wondering if that would cause it, everything else in my tank is doing fine and nothing is dying or showing signs of sickness except all my dead caulerpa. i chucked the caulerpa and did a water change. btw, all my water paremeters are right on too, along with temp.

THANKS

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, your caulerpa is what turned your water green. It goes into a "reproductive mode" and spews forth into the water! :lol: I always rip out the leftover white parts.

Keeping it trimmed back seems to prevent this for me. Also I have had this happen when my tank got really hot or otherwise suffered an "adverse event." I would say having your fuge light out for a while would do it.

 

[AstroCreep]

will this affect anything in my tank? or will it start growing like crazy since its in its reproductive mode? also...should i keep doing water changes untill the green is gone? sory for so many questions...but thanks

 

[Anonymous]

It has just released a whack load of nutrients into your water. This can lead to nuisance algae taking over. You should probably do some water changes and skim heavily, until your nutrients test low again.

Also, if you put Chaeto instead of Caulerpa into your refugium, you can largely avoid this problem in the future.