Is it still chaeto?

[subielover]

Ok so I went to the lfs about 2.5 months ago now and got a bag of chaeto. Well yesterday was the first day that I actually had to start trimming it back. Anyhow when I started to pull it out I realized that almost all of it looks like grapes almost, like bunches of grapes connected to long stems. What the heck is going on?

 

[michaeltx]

sounds like you got some grape calupera mixed into the cheato. i would keep as much of it pulled out as possibile. if it goes se--xual it can pollute the tank but its also used by alot of people for nutrient export as long as its watched carefully.
Mike

 

[subielover]

After doing a bit of research after posting this I would have to agree. I only run my fuge lights for 14 hours, what do you recommend. Should I get it out and replace with chaeto?

 

[michaeltx]

I always run my fuge lights 24/7 it seemed to help the cheato and macros grow. as far as pulling it out the grape calupera is very invasive and even a tiny little bit will grow into more of it.
I would leave it in though alot of people use it still today, you do have to keep an eye on it for signs of it turning SE-Xual though the grapes will start to turn white. if let go it will release alot of crude back into the water. harvesting it regualrly will keep in a growth mode instead of a reproduction mode though.
Mike

 

[spanko]

Been reading you other thread too subie. I would lose the darn caulerpa. Even if your fuge has to wait for some Chaeto, however with you in display algae problem I would not wait too long. IMO too much of a risk to keep it. I can't remember Randy's screen name but he has a thread where some went over in a school tank and the pain it caused. I'll try to find it.
Here it is............
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/320567/caulerpa-in-your-dt
I'll go post this in the other thread too.

 

[mantisman51]

Is red grape caulerpa the same way? The place I bought it from said it wasn't going to go sexual. Plus, I keep my lights on 24/7.

 

[stdreb27]

Just prune it regularly and you'll be fine. I have a friend with a 300 gallon tank with plenty of tangs, every day he reaches in grabs a handful and tosses it into the dt for the tangs. he's had been doing that for several years with no problem.

 

[subielover]

I yanked it, I will be replacing it with chaeto. I have a nano, so I just can't risk even the smallest problem. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[mr_x]

i just got to this thread. i'm also a user of bubble caulerpa. actually, i have a mix of about 4 different types of macroalgae. i like using bubble caulerpa because it absorbs nutrients fast (i can tell by the growth rate) and can be eaten by my tangs.
as long as you prune it every so often it won't hurt you. i have been using it for years.