I need help getting rid of this

[tim_12]

Does anyone know what the stuff in this picture is called? Whats the best way to get rid of it? I already tried taking some rocks out and pulling it off, but theres no way to get it all off. Would an LM blenny eat it?

 

[wax32]

It looks like a kind of Caulerpa algae. Probably not, they usually stick to smaller algaes. A tang probably would but it looks like you have a small tank so that is out. Possibly an emerald crab would.

 

[trainfever]

Well if you had a sump, you could put that piece of rock into it and start a refugium. The plant is macroalgae. I dont know how big your tank is but tangs will eat the macroalgae. You could also just leave it in your tank and harvest some evry so often and throw it away or sell it to your LFS for credit. Macroalgaes help take nitrates out of your water.

 

[tim_12]

It resembles Caulerpa, but it the branches grow on all sides of the stem. The branches also flatten out at the tips. I have some that I already pulled off in a 15g fuge, but I dont know how to get rid of the stuff in the main tank. Its a 46g tank, so tangs are out of the question. I have 2 emaralds, but they dont eat it. Even if they do, it grows too fast for them to even make a dent.

 

[wax32]

Hmm, it looks like it has roots. I'm not sure but I don't think Caulerpa has roots, it just has what is called "holdfasts".

 

[pallan]

looks like it is taking over the tank i assume that would be the reason to get rid of it but sure does look cool. To bad cant keep it.

 

[37g joe]

it is a form of Caulerpa it is good for your tank it wont harm it one bit but for visual purposes just clip it back. Just means you have a healthy tank.I have some in my 37 gallon and I like the look of it I just remove some once in awhile but the more you have the cleaner your tank well be I would just put it behind live rock. so u have the benifit but dont have to look at it.
I belive it is a form of Caulerpa racemosa or a very close relative

 

[jdboy]

I'm feeling your pain, I've got the stuff all over my tank. It grows overnight! I've gotten to the point that I pick as much as I can off at least once a week. I've got 3 Emeralds and they don't touch the stuff. I was told it is Grape Caulerpa (spelling) by my LFS. If you figure out something that works please keep me informed! :notsure:

 

[jdboy]

I must have been repling when you posted Joe. Do you have any idea whether or not it will smother corals?

 

[aceroc]

37g joe is right it is Caulerpa racemosa andi had it when i started my fuge. One day it just took off and i had roots everywhere, grows like crazy. I pulled all mine out and replaced with Chaeto. Maybe you can pull the rock out and place i na bucket and pull it off and use a hard bristle brush and brush the rock.

 

[1journeyman]

It can grow over corals and starve them of light.
Use a sharp knife and just start cutting. Be sure to get all of it out that you cut. You don't want to let it rot in your tank (after you have cut it).

 

[tim_12]

Looks like I've got to disassemble my tank. Again.

 

[tscuda]

A Foxface will take care of that.

 

[symon]

Originally Posted by tscuda
A Foxface will take care of that.
I was thinking the same thing, you have a small tank, so tal to the lfs and see id they will do a loaner thing with you ! LOL By it, let it get it under conetrol and then take it back for credit!

 

[tim_12]

I think I have too many fish to add a foxface. 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 1 Neon goby, 1 Yellow belly damsel and a Royal gramma and a catalina goby in QT that are going in next weekend. What would you say?

 

[timer]

hehe, i actually tried putting that in my tank to grow for my tangs. but it didnt last long enough to grow. i have a yellow tang and a yellow eyed tang

 

[mudplayerx]

It looks like caulerpa racemosa to me. Why can't you just pull it all off? It doesn't take much effort. I removed about 16-20 pounds of the stuff from my tank in less than 10 minutes. Just pull it off the rock with your bare hands. If you use a slow and steady process, its not difficult at all to remove intact plants, roots and all. As was said, take to the local fish store for credit.

 

[oceanists]

Originally Posted by mudplayerx
It looks like caulerpa racemosa to me. Why can't you just pull it all off? It doesn't take much effort. I removed about 16-20 pounds of the stuff from my tank in less than 10 minutes. Just pull it off the rock with your bare hands. If you use a slow and steady process, its not difficult at all to remove intact plants, roots and all. As was said, take to the local fish store for credit.

I have the grape type , my yellow tang ate it all before it could grow and i bought a bunch of it for 3 bucks

 

[crox]

Can anybody send me some of that Caulerpa? Please e-mail me at
j.crocenzi@verizon.net.
Thank you.
:help: :help: :help: :help:

 

[fishrule]

Did your plant by chance look like any of these in this picture before it got big?