Thoughts on Caulerpa Racemosa macro

Caulerpa Racemosa or Grape Caulerpa has grown in more of my tanks than I can remember. As a matter of fact, it is the fastest growing Caulerpa in my current system. I love it for it's ability to quickly eat up N pollution, but it can get out of hand and cover the substrate very quickly. That Characteristic makes it a good companion algae with Chaetomorpha in a Refugium. Is that what you are thinking of using it for?

There are several varieties of what we commonly call Grape Caulerpa. This is what mine looks like. If you want some, come get it.



There are other Caulerpa called Grape that are not nearly as tough and virulent as this one.

The only real bad characteristic is one that all Caulerpa have in common. If nutrient levels fall too low, Caulerpa tends to dissolve away in an attempt to send its gametes(seeds) to a better place in the ocean. Hobbyists need to know what they should do to prevent the bad. Harvest often and watch out that the Chaeto does not suck all the nutrients/pollution out of the water before the Caulerpa can get it. To deal with this tendency to dissolve, that some people like to call "going sexual", my "tip of the day" is to place the Caulerpa upstream from the Chaetomorpha.

Aloha,
Mark
808-345-1049 call/text/visit anytime

P.S. This is Blade Caulerpa or Caulerpa Prolifera. It is my favorite right now. I also have plenty to share. Come and get it.



Edited by Mark Peterson - January 09 2014 at 9:17pm

I do have some now in my refugium. I have an AIO system so if it does go sexual it will quickly get in the main display. Thinking about pulling it out.

In displays with Tangs or Rabbitfish, Caulerpa doesn't have a chance.

Chaetomorpha is superior as a Refugium Algae.

I have plenty. Come and get it.

no one should EVER have to stress over macro algea in their display.   A single sprig of macro has about zero chance of living in my tank.  Our 5 tangs and 2 Rabbitfish would eat it faster than it could blow in.   All you need to control ANY macro algea is a group of tangs!!!!

Aloha,
I believe I left my contact info above, but here it is again along with my address. The tank lights are on from around 9-9. Visitors are welcome during that time. It's best to call ahead.
Mark
808-345-1049 call/text anytime
750 E Lakepoint Dr #4V

Yes that's true, but I find it easy to harvest Macroalgae in smaller tanks. In my experience Blade Caulerpa is not a fast grower so it works better in a Tang-less display. The 12 gal below is a good example. To slow the growth even more, use PO4 removal media.
I have put 3" Tangs in tanks as small as 30 gal with no problem. Of course I let the Caulerpa get kinda thick before the Tang goes in.

Cody wrote: I do have some now in my refugium. I have an AIO system so if it does go sexual it will quickly get in the main display. Thinking about pulling it out.