calerpa going sexual
- Thread starter p_apac
- Start date
nm reef
Active Member
A few downsides to caluperas going sexual:
It is a means of reproduction...so it can lead to massive amounts of un-wanted macro algaes through out your system.
The release of spores can cause cloudy water and a general nasty appearence.
Caluperas are harvested to remove and discard nitrates...when they go sexual the nitrates can be released back into the system...which can cause obvious problems.
I keep a large assortment of macros in my refugium system for the purpose of nitrate reduction/export and I've found that lighting 24/7 prevents them from going sexual...there is always a bit that turns white...but daily I harvest the little that appears to be going sexual and discard it.
It is a means of reproduction...so it can lead to massive amounts of un-wanted macro algaes through out your system.
The release of spores can cause cloudy water and a general nasty appearence.
Caluperas are harvested to remove and discard nitrates...when they go sexual the nitrates can be released back into the system...which can cause obvious problems.
I keep a large assortment of macros in my refugium system for the purpose of nitrate reduction/export and I've found that lighting 24/7 prevents them from going sexual...there is always a bit that turns white...but daily I harvest the little that appears to be going sexual and discard it.
nacl-h2o
Active Member
I think they covered your first two questions. So I'll hit the last two. Sudden shifts in water parameters especialy temp and salinity and shortages in iodine and/or iron lead to most sexual events according to the most recent study into it. Some seem to also go sexual when they get to larg and keeping them broken into smaller pieces or trimed may help avoid it going sexual. Using a macro-algae supplement or iodine or iron may be needed if you keep larg amounts of caulerpa. 24 hour lighting also helps avoid sexual events.