minireef75
Member
I have a few different varieties of macroalgae in my tanks...I keep hearing people talk about them going sexual...I understand the process...but are these cells that are released detrimental to a system? if so how....
Macros going sexual...
- Thread starter minireef75
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bang guy
Moderator
The detriments come from sheer quantities. A sprig of Caulerpa going sexual (sporulating sp?) isn't going to do much. 2 square feet of Caulerpa can do the following:
Consume vast amounts of oxygen. The cloud is comprised of free-swimming gametes and they have to breath just like any other organism.
Produce a lot of CO2. Enough to lower the PH considerably. This could be enough to kill a lot of inverts and start an ammonia spike.
Release nutrients. All the Nitrate and Phosphate that the caulerpa cleaned up for you is released in a big cloud. Expect an algae bloom and cyanobacter to take advantage of it.
Consume vast amounts of oxygen. The cloud is comprised of free-swimming gametes and they have to breath just like any other organism.
Produce a lot of CO2. Enough to lower the PH considerably. This could be enough to kill a lot of inverts and start an ammonia spike.
Release nutrients. All the Nitrate and Phosphate that the caulerpa cleaned up for you is released in a big cloud. Expect an algae bloom and cyanobacter to take advantage of it.
jonthefb
Active Member
you got it guy. I had this happen once in my seahorse tank. the fronds of caulerpa turn white and release all of their spores into the tank. measured water params right after and they were through the roof. unfortunately the filter wasnt powerful enought to accomodate all of these unwanted products and i lost a few horses and fish. didnt have any corals, or inverts, but still wasnt pleasant. sexual reproduction in caulerpa isnt very common in captive systems, but still can occur, however with adequate filtration, there really is no need to worry!
good luck
jon
good luck
jon
mini-reefer
Member
I have been told that if you light your refugium 24/7 then the plants will not go asexual. Is this something you belive in Bang Guy?
jonthefb
Active Member
mini, you want them to go asexual, this just means that the cess reproduce via mitosis, and never produce egg and sperm gametes. asexual reproduction basically results in clones of the algae in your system. thsi is good and the 24/7 lighting keeps all the algae asexual, as they need the dark phase to actually produce these gametes.
good luck
jon
good luck
jon
mini-reefer
Member
Thanks jon. You posted as I was typing and read your post after I had added mine. Very informative indeed.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally posted by Mini-Reefer
I have been told that if you light your refugium 24/7 then the plants will not go asexual. Is this something you belive in Bang Guy?
I believe it significantly lowers the potential. I don't believe it eliminates the risk. This response in with the asumption you meant Sexual vs Asexual).