caulerpa, a no-no in tank?

[sterling]

My LFS had a big sale today and I picked up a couple of nice pieces of LR, cheap!! But they both had big batch of caulerpa on each. I put it in my tank. Should I not? Know nothing about this stuff, other than people use it mostly in their refugiums. It looks cool
Also got a small clam, 3" end to end for $25.00. I have it up high to the lights.

 

[sterling]

Ok, never mind, I'm taking it out, did a search and sounds like something I don't want to get started in my tank. Too bad, looked terrific.
Is there something else, plant-like that I COULD put in my display tank??

 

[javajoe]

i have it in my main tank- my wife loves it-- you just have to take some out from time to time. its good for toxin export... especially if you dont have a refugium with it in it.

 

[bang guy]

Sterling,
If you like the look then keep it in there. Just harvest it regularly and it will be fine. Keep it away from coral because they can smother them, but I also like the look. There's nothing wrong with it and it's perfectly natural.
Guy

 

[sterling]

Thanks guys, but too late, it's history. I read so many posts regarding how it can take over, how when it goes sexual it releases toxins, etc, etc. Oh well.

 

[j21kickster]

I think it was the algae he removed.

 

[javajoe]

as for it releaseing spores, if you are skimming, the skimmer should take care of it anyway. when you get a chance again, reconsider leaving it if you like it. i found it did wonders for my tank-- within 4 weeks, i have almost NO hair algae, as the culepera grows faster and took al the nutrients the hair algae needed...

 

[worm]

i like the look of caulerpa growing in a display tank. the only problem is, i can't grow it! i set a small rock with caulerpa attached to it and by the time a month goes by, it has all turned white and vanished. i've tried 4 different types of caulerpa (not at the same time) and none have made it yet.
Oh well...

 

[jonthefb]

personally, i have it in my tank and love it as it harbors lots of copepods and arthropods, that would not normallly have a decent hiding place. it also helps to filter the water and competes with other nuisance algae for the available organics iin the water, plus it provides a great source of oxygen in the tank, sure you have to prune it back every once ina while, but the pluses really outweigh the losses, in my opinion!
good luck
jon

 

[slick]

If anyone has some extra I would like to have it. I would gladly pay for the shipping. Let me know.

 

[sterling]

Darn, now I'm regretting tossing it. I should have waited for all the posts. Bummer, cuz it really did look nice.
Are there any other plants that could go in the tank??

 

[jonthefb]

you culd try a marine grass, but IME these things are extremely hard to keep alive. i had several specimens in my seahorse tank that did well, but there were no alage eating fish to chow it. caulerpa is still the best IMO.
good luck
jon

 

[ironreef]

I don't like it in the main. It grows to fast needs to be harvested regularly and takes up valuble coral spce. i would rather have a huge coral conony in the place of the caulerpa. I love it in my alga/refugium tank. It helps remove nutrients , place to breed pods and free food for my fish