Planting MacroAlgae?

TomV · 04-08-2004, 08:56 AM

I was given a bunch of MacroAlgae (Grape and the one with the flat discs--unsure of the name) and both are sprouting roots from the ends.

Do I plant them in the substrate or just leave them by a rock where they are now?

Travis · 04-08-2004, 09:01 AM

Welcome to ReefSanctuary TomV!

If you really want that stuff in your tank, no need to plant it. Just tuck into the rockwork or place a rock over it to hold it down.

We'll tell you how to get rid of it in a couple months, LOL.

Seriously, though, if you have a sump or refugium that's a much better place for your macroalgae. Though it looks nice now, it will spread quickly to places you don't want it and become a pain to get rid of. That said, I have kept macro in a tank under control, and it did look quite nice. But it takes very vigilant pruning.

Travis

ReefLady · 04-08-2004, 09:04 PM

Welcome! Glad you found us.

Don't put Caulerpa in your display - I don't mean to sound harsh, but I promise you you'll regret it. Especially once you get your new lights.

The stuff will grow like crabgrass, is extremely invasive, and is evil to remove.

If you don't have a 'fuge or sump, when you swing by, I'll definitely give you some Chaetomorpha (Brillo pad algae). At least, for a macro, it won't attach itself to your rock (and around, and under, and within, and .... )

You also need to be very careful with Caulerpa's going 'sexual' - which they are very likely to do if not lit 24/7. When this happens, they will release all the nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, etc.) that they have absorbed over time back into the tank's water. Not a good thing.

HTH!

TomV · 04-08-2004, 09:22 PM

UH OH!

Should I get rid of it as soon as possible?

jks1 · 04-08-2004, 09:41 PM

yeah Tom, I would remove it if like Teri said you dont have an isolated vessel to store it (ie sump or fuge).

TomV · 04-08-2004, 09:52 PM

OK. I will remove it all and dispose of it tomorrow at the beginning of the daylight cycle so I can see where all of it is.

Do I get all of it, even if there are tiny scraps attached to live rock?

Curtswearing · 04-08-2004, 10:03 PM

Since it sounds like this is in your display tank and you don't have a fuge, remember that tiny scraps of caulerpa don't stay that way for very long. I would highly recommend removing all traces of these macro's.

TomV · 04-08-2004, 11:05 PM

Ok, I will get rid of it in the morning.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 11:44 AM

Ok. The Caulerpa is gone.

But what is this stuff?

It is in a thick clump, was green at first and has turned somewhat brownish.

EdgeKrusher · 04-09-2004, 01:02 PM

I'm not sure bud. You're going to have to try and get a better picture or give a better description. There's alot of things it could be.

Reef Geek · 04-09-2004, 01:14 PM

I think it looks like bryopsis. I am sure that as soon as Curt can pull himself away from tax season he will chime in with some links.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 01:42 PM

It looks kinda like short hair on someone's head. That's the best description I can give. Greenish brown hair in a small clump.

EdgeKrusher · 04-09-2004, 01:48 PM

Possibly just nuisance algae, very common in new tanks. But that's JMO, let's see what others have to say.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 02:00 PM

It's probably time for a 10-20% water change. It's just past the end of cycling and the nitrites and ammonia have been 0 since Monday. The Nitrates seem a little high. They were at 40ppm on the 6th and 30 ppm today, but have been holding steady around those two numbers.

I've been running a modded Seaclone 100 on it and it's got about 3/4" of dark brown sludge in it that smells like the good stuff I used to get in my Prizm on my old 29. The Seaclone, contrary to popular belief, is doing quite a good job and the water is crystal clear. I only started running the Seaclone on Monday.

Travis · 04-09-2004, 02:03 PM

Does it have fern-like endings or just straight tips?

Fern= bryopsis = very bad.

Straight= hair algae= only somehwat bad.

Algae outbreaks are fairly common in new tanks, due to high nutrients. You'll want to step up your water changes, pull back on feeding, yank out as much as you can, and keep your skimmer running at 100%. And it could take a while.

The macroalgae can help outcompete the nuisance algae for nutrients, if you can set up a refugium for the macro. Not sure what tank size you have, but I've been very pleased with my CPR aquafuge hang-on refugium.

Travis

04-08-2004, 08:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	Planting MacroAlgae? I was given a bunch of MacroAlgae (Grape and the one with the flat discs--unsure of the name) and both are sprouting roots from the ends. Do I plant them in the substrate or just leave them by a rock where they are now? __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-08-2004, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,701 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Welcome to ReefSanctuary TomV! If you really want that stuff in your tank, no need to plant it. Just tuck into the rockwork or place a rock over it to hold it down. We'll tell you how to get rid of it in a couple months, LOL. Seriously, though, if you have a sump or refugium that's a much better place for your macroalgae. Though it looks nice now, it will spread quickly to places you don't want it and become a pain to get rid of. That said, I have kept macro in a tank under control, and it did look quite nice. But it takes very vigilant pruning. Travis __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

04-08-2004, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,031 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome! Glad you found us. Don't put Caulerpa in your display - I don't mean to sound harsh, but I promise you you'll regret it. Especially once you get your new lights. The stuff will grow like crabgrass, is extremely invasive, and is evil to remove. If you don't have a 'fuge or sump, when you swing by, I'll definitely give you some Chaetomorpha (Brillo pad algae). At least, for a macro, it won't attach itself to your rock (and around, and under, and within, and .... ) You also need to be very careful with Caulerpa's going 'sexual' - which they are very likely to do if not lit 24/7. When this happens, they will release all the nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, etc.) that they have absorbed over time back into the tank's water. Not a good thing. HTH! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

04-08-2004, 09:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	UH OH! Should I get rid of it as soon as possible? __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-08-2004, 09:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	yeah Tom, I would remove it if like Teri said you dont have an isolated vessel to store it (ie sump or fuge). __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

04-08-2004, 09:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	OK. I will remove it all and dispose of it tomorrow at the beginning of the daylight cycle so I can see where all of it is. Do I get all of it, even if there are tiny scraps attached to live rock? __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-08-2004, 10:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,596 View Gallery Karma Komment	Since it sounds like this is in your display tank and you don't have a fuge, remember that tiny scraps of caulerpa don't stay that way for very long. I would highly recommend removing all traces of these macro's. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

04-08-2004, 11:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ok, I will get rid of it in the morning. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 11:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ok. The Caulerpa is gone. But what is this stuff? It is in a thick clump, was green at first and has turned somewhat brownish. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 01:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
EdgeKrusher Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Posts: 716 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm not sure bud. You're going to have to try and get a better picture or give a better description. There's alot of things it could be. __________________ ((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸>< ((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸. `·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.

04-09-2004, 01:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think it looks like bryopsis. I am sure that as soon as Curt can pull himself away from tax season he will chime in with some links. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

04-09-2004, 01:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	It looks kinda like short hair on someone's head. That's the best description I can give. Greenish brown hair in a small clump. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 01:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
EdgeKrusher Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Posts: 716 View Gallery Karma Komment	Possibly just nuisance algae, very common in new tanks. But that's JMO, let's see what others have to say. __________________ ((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸>< ((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸. `·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.

04-09-2004, 02:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	It's probably time for a 10-20% water change. It's just past the end of cycling and the nitrites and ammonia have been 0 since Monday. The Nitrates seem a little high. They were at 40ppm on the 6th and 30 ppm today, but have been holding steady around those two numbers. I've been running a modded Seaclone 100 on it and it's got about 3/4" of dark brown sludge in it that smells like the good stuff I used to get in my Prizm on my old 29. The Seaclone, contrary to popular belief, is doing quite a good job and the water is crystal clear. I only started running the Seaclone on Monday. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 02:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,701 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Does it have fern-like endings or just straight tips? Fern= bryopsis = very bad. Straight= hair algae= only somehwat bad. Algae outbreaks are fairly common in new tanks, due to high nutrients. You'll want to step up your water changes, pull back on feeding, yank out as much as you can, and keep your skimmer running at 100%. And it could take a while. The macroalgae can help outcompete the nuisance algae for nutrients, if you can set up a refugium for the macro. Not sure what tank size you have, but I've been very pleased with my CPR aquafuge hang-on refugium. Travis __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

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