Caulerpa substrate options.

[Greengirl]

I'm trying to grow Caulerpa prolifera by itself, not as a marine tank decoration or refugium. I initially used Gulf coast beach sand as a substrate but it clouded horribly every time I had to change water. I have substituted small pebbles (river rock) as a substrate to avoid this but included live rock for nitrogen cycling. The Caulerpa do not seem to attach easily to the pebbles or live rock. I've heard that aragonite ortholite is a good attachment substrate but fear it will cloud just as much as other sand. Does the C.p have to adhere to thrive?

 

[bubbgee]

How about reborn? It's normally used as feed to calcium reactor but it's also used as substrate for some tanks.

 

[toothybugs]

I've grown that stuff loose in a sump fuge before and it went gangbusters. I've also had it adhere to rocks enough to hold itself well and also it strung itself along my aragonite so I wouldn't worry about it - large enough for the tendrils to catch and you should be good. A rough crushed coral sand might be a nice medium for you.

 

[courtneykeeps]

How long are you giving it to attach? Prolifera has always adhered well to any type of rock in my tanks.