Live rock die off

[tagg]

Originally posted by Kipass4130
i suggest chaetomorpha.. but yep.. it will still need lighting... i think around 4wpg is suggested.. i have had it for a little while now and it does a good job so far with a little less worry
this particular macro is known for not releasing toxins back into the water like caulerpa species will
Hi Kip,
Does this have a "common" name? I am looking to get a better/more variety. Can it be purchaced on line?
Thanks, Tagg

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by Tagg
Does this have a "common" name?
Spagetti Macro Algae.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Bang Guy
For what it's worth, the real reefs have BIG PH fluctuations. 7.8 - 8.6 is the norm. This is nearly 100% caused by "Plant life" aka Marine Algae.
Bang: I appreciate your honesty and have great respect and awe at your systems and accomplishments. Especially little nemo. (How's he doing?)
I am a little confused here. First I have already accepted the plant life is the rodney dangerfield of marine tanks. I am glad to see this thread is finally looking at plant life as a solution. My confusion here is that you seem to stating and almost in these words that: We shouldn't add plants because they will recreate the natural reef environment without additives. Is that a fair assesment?

 

[bang guy]

Nope. I stated my opinion that I do not believe adding plants to the display tank will stabilize the PH. That's all I've said.
I also hinted that Algae in a refugium lit 24/7 or opposite the display will tend to stabilize PH.
Something I did not state in this thread is that Caulerpa in a display tank has the potential to kill Corals if it's not carefully pruned. Keeping it pruned after it is fully established is not a small effort in my experience.
Beasl - I am pro-"plant life" just not in a reef tank.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Kipass4130
i suggest chaetomorpha.. but yep.. it will still need lighting... i think around 4wpg is suggested.. i have had it for a little while now and it does a good job so far with a little less worry
this particular macro is known for not releasing toxins back into the water like caulerpa species will

Tag: my chaetomorpha has been in my system for 8 months and is very slow growing. It has stayed a bright green and is currently in my refugium. Because it is slow growing, it takes a lot to equal the effect of the faster growing caluperas. And it has grown under standard normal output lights and in the refug a 18W normal output spot (90 w incandescent equilivant)

 

[tagg]

Thanks guys,
I'll see if I can locate some chaetomorpha. I plan on getting a wide variety of plant/algae going in my system. I gess I will have pretty good luck with most species since my refugium also gets direct sunligt. (can control amount).
My nitrates have been slowly coming down too.
better established refugium
removal of CC (1/2 done)
50 lbs more LR
Tagg

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Tagg
Thanks guys,
I'll see if I can locate some chaetomorpha. I plan on getting a wide variety of plant/algae going in my system. I gess I will have pretty good luck with most species since my refugium also gets direct sunligt. (can control amount).
...
Tagg
if it is open top you could even add some mangroves.

 

[tagg]

Originally posted by beaslbob
if it is open top you could even add some mangroves.
It's half open top. I know a guy down in the FL Keys that can get me the (Avicennia nitida) black....and (Rhizophora).
Also on my list is some Turtle grass and Halimeda......I think
But, its below zero some nights up here already, and in the teens during the day....I cant afford "over night" shipping, so I gess it will all have to wait till spring.
Tagg