Caulerpa vs. Chaeto

[MIKE NY]

I've kept SPS for many years and still can't seem to get good growth or poping colors like I see in many tanks. I know there are many factors. All the parameters seem good, stable water quality, lighting, flow, run carbon and phosban 24/7 etc...and still I have many frags and small colonies that have done nothing except encrust for a year or some for many years. I have many different species of caulerpa in my fuge that grow like crazy and luckily have never gone sexual. I have recently heard that some species may produce toxins which inhibit the growth and color of some SPS. I have always had trouble growing chaeto because I can't seem to dublicate the tumbling action of it in nature. It will grow on the top and rot on the bottom. Anyway does anyone have any knowledge or experience with choosing either chaeto or caulerpa? What are your thoughts?.....TIA

 

[Arati]

I have used cheato grape and razor calupera. I belive cheato is the best but the razor calupera is a good one also. I didnt like the grape stuff because it found its way into everything.

I would suggest you stop using phosban and see if your colors brighten up.

 

[MIKE NY]

I don't think it's too clean water. My phospates run between .04 -.06 with a colormeter. I feed heavy and dose AAs.....

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

I used to flip my Chaeto every other day and added a small powerhead in my sump to help with water flow through the chaeto. Also, pulling it apart every once in a while is not a bad idea either. I also used to rinse mine in some freshly mixed water to get off all the detritutus that had accumulated on it.

 

[artie1209]

Maybe it is your lighting. What color bulbs and how old?

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

What kind of bulb are you using ? I have found very good results using this bulb http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html and I have tried quite a few. I also had a problem keeping my chaeto tumbling. Tried maxi jets, air pumps... so I made my own pvc spray bar that i placed about 1/2 inch below the surface of the water. Then I made 12 very small holes about an inch apart in the pvc(about 12" long) and set the spray bar on a diagonal towards the chaeto. It takes a little tweeking but it works like a champ in keeping everything rolling. I also break up the chaeto on a weekly basis as well.

 

[Acro76]

I used to flip my Chaeto every other day and added a small powerhead in my sump to help with water flow through the chaeto. Also, pulling it apart every once in a while is not a bad idea either. I also used to rinse mine in some freshly mixed water to get off all the detritutus that had accumulated on it.

Very good tips! If you don't do this you can get the dreaded red fuzz algae. Change fuge bulbs regularly, especially if you leave them on 24-7! Also Iron supplements work well if its just not growing at all...

Caulerpa species are well documented in many scientific papers about the toxins they produce. If you are serious about keeping and growing Acropora, I would remove all Caulerpa. Even a number of leather corals (lobophytum, sinularia, etc.) can slow Acropora growth.

 

[MIKE NY]

thanks guys....I don't think it's my lighting. I change them every 12-14 months. I've used many different bulb combos over the years. I'm currently using CV Reeflux 250 10Ks along with PC actinics 03s. I only have one leather, a Fiji yellow. Although I run carbon, one cup per 100gals, 24/7 and change it every thirty days those toxins maybe just too much.