Thoughts on caulerpa inside the tank?

[~reefchik~]

I just got my stuff from IPSF and there is a small bag of feather caulerpa. Is this ok inside my reef tank or should I save it for a refugium?

 

[mr_X]

i wouldn't put macros in the display, besides maybe halimeda.
there is a possibility that they could really over run things and present a real problem.
even if you are going to keep tangs and other fish that eat macros, if they don't take a liking to feather caulerpa, you're gonna be in trouble. and if they do develop a taste for it, it will be gone shortly anyway.

 

[Len]

Caulerpa is my enemy I hate the stuff in my tank as it tends to overgrow corals. Manually picking it away gets tiresome. I am getting a small naso tang soon to see if it can help. My black tang won't eat the stuff :?

 

[Anonymous]

KILL

KILL

KILL

Seriously, the stuff is devilishly hard to get rid of once it takes hold. I would never willingly put it in a reef tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I think its a bad idea.

:mrgreen:

 

[~reefchik~]

:lol: Lawdawg :lol: don't hold back now....
All righty then, guess it goes in the quarantine tank awaiting a refugium setup--thanks!

 

[MartinE]

Caulerpa is my enemy I hate the stuff in my tank as it tends to overgrow corals. Manually picking it away gets tiresome. I am getting a small naso tang soon to see if it can help. My black tang won't eat the stuff :?

I totally agree with len on this one I have some grape caulerpa I wish had not gotten introduced, It smothers corals and grows most anywhere and maual removal is the only way to get rid of it.

 

[sihaya]

Caulerpa is my enemy I hate the stuff in my tank as it tends to overgrow corals. Manually picking it away gets tiresome.

Ditto

 

[IslandCrow]

I agree with everyone else. I have some of that species of Caulerpa in my fuge, and it grows like a weed. It doesn't seem like it would be as tough as something like bryopsis to keep under control, but it would definitely require a high degree of vigilance. Also, remember that Caulerpa is one of the more volatile macroalgaes. What I mean is that you have to trim it back at least every few months, or you risk a sexual event, where it will pollute your tank. As I understand it, you should also avoid cutting it too frequently, as it can release toxins into the water. That species may not be as problematic as the others, but as a rule, I trim mine every month (I have to in order to keep it under control anyway). On a good note, it's an excellent nutrient exporter, even better than the famous Chaeto.