Green Sea Grapes (Pic) - Opinions?

[maxsmart]

Here are my green sea grapes, which I have allowed to become the dominant macroalgae in my tank, since they grow so nicely and don't turn white and nuke the water after a couple weeks, like the other macros seem to do. Does anyone have any feedback/opinions on this stuff? I read some people describing it like a plague, but frankly I think it looks great and seems to be well-behaved.

 

[samurai_sushi]

How fast does it grow? I'm looking to add some type of macroalgae to my future reef and the only one I have heard doesn't go white is chaeto, and it's not the prettiest stuff. Also how often do you trim it?

 

[dogstar]

Caulerpa racemosa IMO is just as problemic as other Caulerpa sp.. I do use it in my fuge though. Give it time and you may regret putting it in the DT.

 

[addicted2]

I have heard it grows like a weed..and can become a problem....I use chaeto in my fuge.

 

[maxsmart]

This stuff feels soft to the touch, like the soft rubbery material they put in those ergonomic pads you're supposed to put in front of your mouse and keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel. You can grab it with your hand and snap it in the middle with your thumbnail - it's that easy to trim. Since it grows like a vine, you just have a few strands to cut back every 4-5 days. My only complaint is that since it floats, if I don't keep it under control it blocks a lot of the light. The plus side to that is that I don't have to reach in very far to grab it and snap off the excess.

I didn't actually put it in the display tank, like all my other macroalgaes it grew from my liverocks.

My reason for the post was to confirm it doesn't eat up any nutrients besides the ones I want depleted (nitrates and phosphates).

 

[kelly]

If you do not mind the look, it should not cause any major problems... It is known to go asexual, you are just luck so far. Several years back I had some go asexual and the tank was white for a day. I does grow quickly and does look nice if you like macro algaes. It would be great for a seahorse tank.