M
mxsnow145
Guest
whats the reasoning for leaving the lights on 24/7?
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Well I was speaking specifically about caulerpa. If we keep the lights on 24/7 the caulerpa will continue to grow and reduce nitrates and phosphates in our tank. Now with constant pruning all should remain well. The caulerpa has its mind if you will on just growing because it has all that it needs and there is less a chance of it going sexual then if we presented a dark period
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407494
@bltdreef can i see some pics? and how do you know when it needs to be harvsted? also how long do you keep your fuge lights on for?
I actually just harvested about 2/3 of the caulerpa out of my refugium on Thursday. I have to harvest it at this rate every two weeks or so. I also just added some new red macro algaes for more color, so I did a heavy harvest of the caulerpa. This is my display refugium (if you can call it that at the moment), but I haven't moved the plants around to where I want them yet. I leave my lights on opposite my main tank, so the refugium lights are on 10PM to 10AM. I would do a little less, but I have a BTA in there that my clownfish pair live in. Anyways, here are some pics:
This is the caulerpa I like to use:
The red macro's I just added:
and Full tank shots from both of the angles the tank can be viewed:
Side:
Front:
^That clump of caulerpa on the right will literally double or more in two weeks time. It starts to grow up and over the rocks and overflow. It's Grape caulerpa (Caulerpa racemosa) and and Caulerpa serrulata. There's some Caulerpa Prolifera in there, but very, very little of it. The grape and serrulata take over everything else.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407494
@bltdreef can i see some pics? and how do you know when it needs to be harvsted? also how long do you keep your fuge lights on for?
I actually just harvested about 2/3 of the caulerpa out of my refugium on Thursday. I have to harvest it at this rate every two weeks or so. I also just added some new red macro algaes for more color, so I did a heavy harvest of the caulerpa. This is my display refugium (if you can call it that at the moment), but I haven't moved the plants around to where I want them yet. I leave my lights on opposite my main tank, so the refugium lights are on 10PM to 10AM. I would do a little less, but I have a BTA in there that my clownfish pair live in. Anyways, here are some pics:
This is the caulerpa I like to use:
The red macro's I just added:
and Full tank shots from both of the angles the tank can be viewed:
Side:
Front:
^That clump of caulerpa on the right will literally double or more in two weeks time. It starts to grow up and over the rocks and overflow. It's Grape caulerpa (Caulerpa racemosa) and and Caulerpa serrulata. There's some Caulerpa Prolifera in there, but very, very little of it. The grape and serrulata take over everything else.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3407639
I actually just harvested about 2/3 of the caulerpa out of my refugium on Thursday. I have to harvest it at this rate every two weeks or so. I also just added some new red macro algaes for more color, so I did a heavy harvest of the caulerpa. This is my display refugium (if you can call it that at the moment), but I haven't moved the plants around to where I want them yet. I leave my lights on opposite my main tank, so the refugium lights are on 10PM to 10AM. I would do a little less, but I have a BTA in there that my clownfish pair live in. Anyways, here are some pics:
This is the caulerpa I like to use:
The red macro's I just added:
and Full tank shots from both of the angles the tank can be viewed:
Side:
Front:
^That clump of caulerpa on the right will literally double or more in two weeks time. It starts to grow up and over the rocks and overflow. It's Grape caulerpa (Caulerpa racemosa) and and Caulerpa serrulata. There's some Caulerpa Prolifera in there, but very, very little of it. The grape and serrulata take over everything else.
BTW i like the clown and its host
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3407639
I actually just harvested about 2/3 of the caulerpa out of my refugium on Thursday. I have to harvest it at this rate every two weeks or so. I also just added some new red macro algaes for more color, so I did a heavy harvest of the caulerpa. This is my display refugium (if you can call it that at the moment), but I haven't moved the plants around to where I want them yet. I leave my lights on opposite my main tank, so the refugium lights are on 10PM to 10AM. I would do a little less, but I have a BTA in there that my clownfish pair live in. Anyways, here are some pics:
This is the caulerpa I like to use:
The red macro's I just added:
and Full tank shots from both of the angles the tank can be viewed:
Side:
Front:
^That clump of caulerpa on the right will literally double or more in two weeks time. It starts to grow up and over the rocks and overflow. It's Grape caulerpa (Caulerpa racemosa) and and Caulerpa serrulata. There's some Caulerpa Prolifera in there, but very, very little of it. The grape and serrulata take over everything else.
BTW i like the clown and its host
S
saxman
Guest
OOOOOO, TOMMIE LYNN!
You have pink galaxy!!!!! I haven't seen any of that since the tank it was in kinda crashed. I LOVE the stuff...it's absolutely gorgeous. Did you get that from John?
That Caulerpa you have which resembles C. serrulata (razor Caulerpa) is C. brachypus, which I've found to be a super fast-grower, but have never seen it go south (hard to believe it hasn't been banned as a noxious weed). Have you noticed that the stuff tends to grow in "mats", which make it simple to prune? If you go to the OP's photo and compare them, you'll see the difference...look at the shape of the fronds. I also see a little sprig of C. racemosa (green grape) which will take off on you if you don't keep it pruned back (green grape and its variants are some of the "banned" species).
Macro tanks are really nice!
You have pink galaxy!!!!! I haven't seen any of that since the tank it was in kinda crashed. I LOVE the stuff...it's absolutely gorgeous. Did you get that from John?
That Caulerpa you have which resembles C. serrulata (razor Caulerpa) is C. brachypus, which I've found to be a super fast-grower, but have never seen it go south (hard to believe it hasn't been banned as a noxious weed). Have you noticed that the stuff tends to grow in "mats", which make it simple to prune? If you go to the OP's photo and compare them, you'll see the difference...look at the shape of the fronds. I also see a little sprig of C. racemosa (green grape) which will take off on you if you don't keep it pruned back (green grape and its variants are some of the "banned" species).
Macro tanks are really nice!
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
OOOOOO, TOMMIE LYNN!
You have pink galaxy!!!!!
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
OOOOOO, TOMMIE LYNN!
You have pink galaxy!!!!!
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
S
saxman
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408005
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
*spits coke on monitor*
Darn you Joe!!!
LMAO
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408005
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
*spits coke on monitor*
Darn you Joe!!!
LMAO
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3407999
OOOOOO, TOMMIE LYNN!
You have pink galaxy!!!!! I haven't seen any of that since the tank it was in kinda crashed. I LOVE the stuff...it's absolutely gorgeous. Did you get that from John?
That Caulerpa you have which resembles C. serrulata (razor Caulerpa) is C. brachypus, which I've found to be a super fast-grower, but have never seen it go south (hard to believe it hasn't been banned as a noxious weed). Have you noticed that the stuff tends to grow in "mats", which make it simple to prune? If you go to the OP's photo and compare them, you'll see the difference...look at the shape of the fronds. I also see a little sprig of C. racemosa (green grape) which will take off on you if you don't keep it pruned back (green grape and its variants are some of the "banned" species).
Macro tanks are really nice!
Yes, I just purchased that from John. I wanted to see how it came in and I actually am about to place another order with him for more.
Thanks for the ID on the Caulerpa. I always questioned which it was, and serrulata was what most people, but it was never quite the right resemblence. It is a very, very fast grower! Yes, it does grow in mats, and also sends off runners. It would be easier to prune if my darn pistol shrimp and yasha goby didn't keep making their burrow in the center of the mat! My LFS loves buying the stuff off me, so that's a plus since it grows so fast. I think I'm going to need to prune it back in my SH tank soon as well. There is also grape intertwined with the other caulerpa. That stuff is ridiculous, I feel like it doubles in size over night. It's one of the macros that I really like though, so I don't mind it, although I do have to prune it quite often. I'm hoping to get it to grow up the back wall along the silicone corners of my SH tank, since they seem to really like to hitch on that macro especially. I keep trying to put some in my 180 reef, and the darn Coral Beauty keeps eating it all. I feel like I'm never going to be able to keep macro in my DT :-(
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408005
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
Hahahahaha. Love you Joe!
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408008
*spits coke on monitor*
Darn you Joe!!!
LMAO
Originally Posted by saxman http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3407999
OOOOOO, TOMMIE LYNN!
You have pink galaxy!!!!! I haven't seen any of that since the tank it was in kinda crashed. I LOVE the stuff...it's absolutely gorgeous. Did you get that from John?
That Caulerpa you have which resembles C. serrulata (razor Caulerpa) is C. brachypus, which I've found to be a super fast-grower, but have never seen it go south (hard to believe it hasn't been banned as a noxious weed). Have you noticed that the stuff tends to grow in "mats", which make it simple to prune? If you go to the OP's photo and compare them, you'll see the difference...look at the shape of the fronds. I also see a little sprig of C. racemosa (green grape) which will take off on you if you don't keep it pruned back (green grape and its variants are some of the "banned" species).
Macro tanks are really nice!
Yes, I just purchased that from John. I wanted to see how it came in and I actually am about to place another order with him for more.
Thanks for the ID on the Caulerpa. I always questioned which it was, and serrulata was what most people, but it was never quite the right resemblence. It is a very, very fast grower! Yes, it does grow in mats, and also sends off runners. It would be easier to prune if my darn pistol shrimp and yasha goby didn't keep making their burrow in the center of the mat! My LFS loves buying the stuff off me, so that's a plus since it grows so fast. I think I'm going to need to prune it back in my SH tank soon as well. There is also grape intertwined with the other caulerpa. That stuff is ridiculous, I feel like it doubles in size over night. It's one of the macros that I really like though, so I don't mind it, although I do have to prune it quite often. I'm hoping to get it to grow up the back wall along the silicone corners of my SH tank, since they seem to really like to hitch on that macro especially. I keep trying to put some in my 180 reef, and the darn Coral Beauty keeps eating it all. I feel like I'm never going to be able to keep macro in my DT :-(
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408005
Greg you tempt me to the dark side of posting once again
Hahahahaha. Love you Joe!
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408008
*spits coke on monitor*
Darn you Joe!!!
LMAO
kiefers
Active Member
Sorry I am tardy to the party, been away. your micro looks great! I have some in my DT and it is growing like wild fire. May I ask how you cut back your purple MA? to be more specific, do you trim it down or cut it from the base? Our digital camera got a bath and we are still having it dry out, so unable to get a pic to show off, also have some of the green m.a., can you cut it the same?
Sorry to throw all these questions at ya, but you are suppossed to be the expert here
Sorry to throw all these questions at ya, but you are suppossed to be the expert here
btldreef
Moderator
I just got my red and purple macros so I have not had to prune mine. In the past I've just divided from the base if possible, but honestly, with all my macro I usually just pull out what I can reach. This is the first time I'm going to have a larger display fuge, so I probably will be more tedious about how I prune things once I get it all situated where I want it in the tank. Curious to see what Greg recommends. The graciliara is really being grown more as a snack for my tangs, especially my Naso, but I thought the color would look good with the others as well.
I wish I could keep it inthe DT. I've yet to find macro that my little pigs won't chow down on besides hair algae! My Coral Beauty is the worst, she's even picked off all my halimeda. Sometimes she doesn't even eat it, just shreds it all. I guess it's the price I must pay, at least she has never touched a coral on me.
I wish I could keep it inthe DT. I've yet to find macro that my little pigs won't chow down on besides hair algae! My Coral Beauty is the worst, she's even picked off all my halimeda. Sometimes she doesn't even eat it, just shreds it all. I guess it's the price I must pay, at least she has never touched a coral on me.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I like your display fuge. Some people just let theirs get out of hand. I'm jealous over the pink galaxy as well...
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408141
I just got my red and purple macros so I have not had to prune mine. In the past I've just divided from the base if possible, but honestly, with all my macro I usually just pull out what I can reach. This is the first time I'm going to have a larger display fuge, so I probably will be more tedious about how I prune things once I get it all situated where I want it in the tank. Curious to see what Greg recommends. The graciliara is really being grown more as a snack for my tangs, especially my Naso, but I thought the color would look good with the others as well.
I wish I could keep it inthe DT. I've yet to find macro that my little pigs won't chow down on besides hair algae! My Coral Beauty is the worst, she's even picked off all my halimeda. Sometimes she doesn't even eat it, just shreds it all. I guess it's the price I must pay, at least she has never touched a coral on me.
Yes.... I like it in my DT and I have no tangs in the tank soooo. it grows fast.
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408141
I just got my red and purple macros so I have not had to prune mine. In the past I've just divided from the base if possible, but honestly, with all my macro I usually just pull out what I can reach. This is the first time I'm going to have a larger display fuge, so I probably will be more tedious about how I prune things once I get it all situated where I want it in the tank. Curious to see what Greg recommends. The graciliara is really being grown more as a snack for my tangs, especially my Naso, but I thought the color would look good with the others as well.
I wish I could keep it inthe DT. I've yet to find macro that my little pigs won't chow down on besides hair algae! My Coral Beauty is the worst, she's even picked off all my halimeda. Sometimes she doesn't even eat it, just shreds it all. I guess it's the price I must pay, at least she has never touched a coral on me.
Yes.... I like it in my DT and I have no tangs in the tank soooo. it grows fast.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Sorry I am tardy to the party, been away. your micro looks great!
Lucky you all we ever get to see is her macro
Sorry I am tardy to the party, been away. your micro looks great!
Lucky you all we ever get to see is her macro
S
saxman
Guest
IME, most macro just gets snatched out of the tank as needed. The fast-growers don't seem to mind at all. However, some of the reds don't like "over-pruning", but can still be pruned as needed. Many red macros tend to grow slowly and prefer lower lighting levels to keep their deep coloration. For instance Botryocladia (red grape) will go brown/clearish in the presence of too much light (see photo).
That pink galaxy is calcareous and needs some Ca to grow well. It should lose that rough, shocky look in short order tho and looks great once it takes hold. It was JUST starting to shake it off in this pic (bottom right):
That pink galaxy is calcareous and needs some Ca to grow well. It should lose that rough, shocky look in short order tho and looks great once it takes hold. It was JUST starting to shake it off in this pic (bottom right):
kiefers
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408175
Lucky you all we ever get to see is her macro
oooooooohhhhhh awwwwwwwwwwwe
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae/20#post_3408175
Lucky you all we ever get to see is her macro
oooooooohhhhhh awwwwwwwwwwwe
btldreef
Moderator
Luckily for the calcareous algaes, the refugium is hooked to my DT that runs with a Ca reactor. The SH tank doesn't have a Ca reactor, but there isn't really anything else in the tank that draws calcium, so using a good salt should be good enough, for now.
I've heard that red macros need more supplements added like iron, etc. I'm not keen on adding supplements in any other matter than weekly water changes, that should be enough, yes?
I've heard that red macros need more supplements added like iron, etc. I'm not keen on adding supplements in any other matter than weekly water changes, that should be enough, yes?
S
saxman
Guest
I don't fool with supplements for the macro...they do what they do. If they don't seem to like one system, I try another tank if I like the macro in question and want to grow it.