Growing plants in a saltwater aquarium: Have you ever kept Caulerpa in your tank?

[Rp8]

Hard pass for me

 

[jabberwock]

I had it for about 10 months. I enjoyed it, I would take trimmings to my LFS in exchange for water. I accidentally trimmed it back to far and I lost it. I wasn't too disappointed to see it go, it was extra work to keep it trimmed.

 

[Reef Stallion]

It was great...until it wasn't!

 

[Nemo&Friends]

I have some caulerpa and other macro algae and I like them. When it grows too much, I cut it and feed them to my rabbit fish in another tank. But it does not grow that fast, and I do not have corals, so the algae add color and interest to my tank. I would have some in both tanks if I could, but the rabbit fish, the hippo and the angel will not allow it. They just love it too much.

 

[formallydehyde]

When I was first setting up my tank I was considering getting caulerpa to feed oxynoe sea slugs but the only place I've seen list oxynoe is Reefcleaners which has had them listed as out of season this entire year so I ended up not bothering. I would get some if I could feed slugs with it but as it stands right now my tank is kinda cramped with macro algae.

 

[lubeck]

It’s in my fuge.

 

[NickHolmes]

Never introduced C. Racemosa but just appeared one day, terrible stuff! Spreads like wildfire. Manual removal is near impossible. Got a Tomini and Regal tang last week to help but so far no sign of either chomping on it. Waiting for Foxface to arrive. And yes, I have an aiptasia problem as well, got a filefish but it prefers LPS corals

 

[Fire Shrimp]

My favorite was prolifera, beautiful, does not attach to rockwork, does not typically go sexual, but also cannot compete with other macroalgae species in a nano tank, and dwindled away to nothing after almost a year.

I now have Caulerpa serullata, it does very well, is competitive, only goes sexual a few fronds at a time, will grow in sand or on rock but can be easily removed.

I tried to keep Mexicana three times - all three times it instantly melted and disappeared, each within just two days.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes and it went sexual and nuked my tank! I do still love macros though.

 

[Hadla]

I had C. prolifera and it did just what its name suggests. The problem I had with it was it going sexual when I moved it out of the main tank and into a QT tank (for Fluconazole treatment in the main tank). In the QT tank it went sexual and I had stuff growing on every surface. Ended up bleaching and tossing the whole lot and don't plan on getting C. prolifera again. Possibly one of the other species, but then again its illegal to ship Caulerpa to CA. Hence the bleaching.

Only the illegal species can’t be shipped but the legal ones can! The only thing is I think they can’t be shipped to San Diego? I’ve had the palm tree one (paspaloides) shipped to me in Sacramento last year.

https://dornsife.usc.edu/assets/sites/291/docs/Caulerpa_Species_ID_Key.pdf

 

[Cajun86]

I used to grow Caulerpa for nutrient export? With mature systems, I no longer need nutrient export so I grow ornamental seaweeds like Bortacladia & Gracilaria Hayi.. I have a start of Sea Grapes which I will use for humane consumption:
Caulerpa lentillifera

Caulerpa lentillifera - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I have been wanting to get some Caulerpa lentillifera. I Can't find anyone with any!!!!

 

[Tigahboy]

I like it.

 

[beaslbob]

15 years ago I had high nitrates and couldn't keep caulpera in my tank with tangs and crabs.
So I installed egg crate 3" in front of the back glass supported by rocks on the bottom and power heads at the top.
I then added two two tube flourescent shop lights 6 " behind the back glass pointing forward. and added cheats and caulpera profilera in the space between the back glass and egg crate.
The macros thrived, nitrates dropped to ummeasureable with the api test kit in three weeks. and pods thrived there as well.

meanwhile the tangs enjoyed eating the macros that popped thru the egg crate. and a watchman gobie would slide thru the egg crate to enjoy pods as well.

FWIW heavy fish load, tap water, no water changes, simple soft corals like button polyps.

 

[Stomatopods17]

Yeah, its doing great! I started with 1 'leaf' totally intended to be on my powerhead, and its already growing.

On a more serious note though, I made a 2 gallon macro algae setup. The dragons tongue is.. not really growing but existing for awhile, the palm tree caulerpa didn't grow and just melted away, but the caulpera you see here took off, and the sea grapes I think outcompeted everything for space and growth. Whats on my powerhead is what I skimmed off the surface of my 2 gallon to put in my 29 gallon and didn't glue down well like I hoped.

 

[blecki]

I have the grape kind. The tanks thankfully keep this horror out of the display but the molly tank and the QT are horribly infested.

I swear to god this stuff grows in the dark. It's insane.

 

[Hadla]

I have the grape kind. The tanks thankfully keep this horror out of the display but the molly tank and the QT are horribly infested.

I swear to god this stuff grows in the dark. It's insane.

If I could take it from you, I would

 

[Paul B]

I walk on this beach every morning and whenever I find something interesting, I throw it in my tank. None of it lives long from my cold New York water but it is cool for a while.

 

[Subsea]

I walk on this beach every morning and whenever I find something interesting, I throw it in my tank. None of it lives long from my cold New York water but it is cool for a while.




Good morning @Paul B
I wish I had your beach to walk on. Because I am 100 miles from a beach I go online to bring the beach to my home in Austin.

For those interested in purchasing live seawwed, I suggest GulfCoast EcoSystem & IndoPacific SeaFarm?

: : : : Indo-Pacific Sea Farms : : : :

Indo-Pacific Sea Farms produces captive-bred marine life for healthier reef aquariums: invertebrates, detritivores, live sand, snail grazers, amphipods, beneficial worms, macro algae, plankton, corals, coral food and beneficial bacteria.

ipsf.com

Marine Plants In The Aquarium: An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

An online guide to the identification and care of marine plants and macroalgae in the aquarium.

www.marineplantbook.com

Table of Contents​

About The Author	Introduction	Marine Plants In The Aquarium
The Refugium	Substrates	Selecting Quality Plants
Aquascapes	Lighting	Reproductive Cycle
Filtration	Nutrients	Maintenance
Case For Caulerpa	Green Macroalgae	Red Macroalgae
Brown Macroalgae	Seagrass	Mangroves
References	Glossary	Online Articles

Species of Caulerpa belong to the phylum Chlorophyta, which is named for their dominant green pigment. They are some of the fastest, most prolific growers, quickly and efficiently removing nutrients from shallow coastal waters in tropical regions worldwide. In the marine aquarium there are both advantages and disadvantages to their use. Generally speaking, if used correctly, various species of the genus Caulerpa can be both ornamental and utilitarian in the aquarium. Several species however, due to their adaptability and the ease with which they can propagate themselves can be a highly invasive species, especially in reef aquaria. One such highly invasive species of Caulerpa known as C. Taxifolia was used in the aquarium trade due to it's hardy growth and attractive appearance. In June of 2000 the introduced, non native species C. Taxifolia was found in a coastal lagoon in Carlsbad, California, within San Diego County. An aggressive clone of this species had already proven to be highly invasive in the Mediterranean Sea, where the governments of France, Spain, Monaco, and Italy had been unable to control its spread. This first confirmed American occurrence of this invasive species in California caused considerable alarm. The resulting press coverage of the issue led to discovery of a second infestation of C. Taxifolia in Huntington Harbour in Orange County. Genetic studies determined that these two infestations were the same strain threatening the Mediterranean Sea. To date, the infested areas have been succesfully eradicated, but California has placed restrictions on its import and use within the state, along with eight other species of Caulerpa. To control the possible investation in non native waters the United States government issued a law making it illegal to import or transport Caulerpa Taxifolia across state lines including internet sale. California passed stronger legislation making it illegal to possess, transport, transfer, release alive, import, or sell C. Taxifolia, C. Sertularioides, C. Mexicana, C. Ashmeadii, C. Scalpelliformis, C. Racemosa, C. Cupressoides, C. Verticillata, and C. Floridana. The city of San Diego took the ban one step further, banning the possession, sale, and transport of all Caulerpa species within city limits. Two species of Caulerpa are allowed to hobbyists in California, they are C. Prolifera and C. Serrulata. Although I understand the need to protect the environment and our fragile coastal ecosystems, it's unlikely that any of the other eight Caulerpa species banned in the State of California, if somehow introduced, could survive the cold Pacific water temperatures. In fact most species of Caulerpa native to the State of Florida (with the exception of C. Taxifolia and C. Prolifera) can't survive the cold winter temperatures of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. ADVANTAGES​ There are many advantages to including at least some species of Caulerpa in the marine aquarium. They are not only natural, aesthetically pleasing additions to the aquarium and or the refugium, but they can provide a food source for fish and invertebrates, as well as effectively remove nutrients. Another benefit is their ability to stabilize ph levels through photosynthesis. There is also evidence that the addition of Caulerpa, as well as other varieties of macro algae, can aid in the reversal of many diseases often present in captive marine aquarium fish, such as fin rot and lateral line syndrome. Caulerpa remove the primary nutrients nitrate and phosphate, and in doing so decrease unwanted nuisance algae of the inorganic nutrients they need, keeping the growth of pest algae to a minimum. As the algae increases in size, the aquarist simply trims and removes any excess growth, permanently removing the sequestered nutrients from the aquarium’s system. Just like terrestrial plants, Caulerpa benefit from frequent pruning as the practice aids in removal of old tissue and encourages new growth. Hobbyists placing Caulerpa in a refugium or sump often illuminate the display tank opposite of the other which helps keep the ph stable during the algae's respiration or rest period. DISADVANTAGES​ Although species of Caulerpa can be beneficial, they have several disadvantages. Caulerpa is a very fast grower that can quickly outgrow its environment and become a nuisance in any aquarium. In the reef aquarium, Caulerpa can effect corals by covering them and blocking available light. Some species, such as C. Prolifera are believed to release a chemical that can even stunt coral growth. This is also true in their natural environment. When the amount of nutrients on a coral reef get out of balance due to fertilizer runoff and other pollutants, some opportunistic species of Caulerpa such as C. Taxifolia, fueled by excess nutrients, can quickly take over the ecosystem smothering both native algae and corals. Another drawback is their resilient ability to spread by both sexual and asexual reproduction. Vegetative or asexual reproduction is when the algae forms a new cell from a fragment or spreads via the rhizome. This can be controlled in most aquariums by keeping the colony small and containing it to one particular area. When conditions are favorable Caulerpa will reproduce sexually, releasing gametes and tissue into the aquarium water. This phenomena is known as sporualtion and is caused by many environmental conditions such as a lack of nutrients, temperature, salinity, ph, etc. These sexual events can be detrimental to both corals and fish, sometimes releasing large amounts of nutrients and organic material back into the aquarium water. In the ocean, the effects are not harmful as the nutrients and tissue are quickly removed, however in a closed environment such an event can upset the natural balance in an aquarium if the pollutants can't be quickly absorbed by the filtration system. In larger, more stable reef aquariums dead tissue and excess nutrients are normally cleaned by both the tank inhabitants (live rock, sponges, microalgae) and or the chemical filtration system (protein skimmer, filter pads, media, ect) To avoid the conditions that trigger sporualtion in the aquarium there are a few safeguards. Regular pruning of tissue is required and will help discourage Caulerpa to reproduce sexually. In addition to pruning, limiting the size of each cell is important so that biomass does not exceed the nutrient levels. If growing in a sump or refugium some hobbyists employ a continuously illuminated environment so that the Caulerpa can never enter into the phase of respiration or rest. Although this method does work to prevent sporulation, it also effects the growth as respiration is a needed process of photosynthesis. A newer method is to simply increase the photoperiod to allow 4-6 hours of rest, followed by continuous illumination. Copyright © 2010 GCE All rights reserved. No part of this online publication may be reproduced in any form by any means without the expressed permission of the author. All images are the property of Gulf Coast Ecosystems unless otherwise noted and should not be reproduced or distributed without permission. ​ ​ ​

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[Hadla]

There’s actually 7 species that are legal in California. The link I posted earlier shows them.

 

[Subsea]

15 years ago I had high nitrates and couldn't keep caulpera in my tank with tangs and crabs.
So I installed egg crate 3" in front of the back glass supported by rocks on the bottom and power heads at the top.
I then added two two tube flourescent shop lights 6 " behind the back glass pointing forward. and added cheats and caulpera profilera in the space between the back glass and egg crate.
The macros thrived, nitrates dropped to ummeasureable with the api test kit in three weeks. and pods thrived there as well.

meanwhile the tangs enjoyed eating the macros that popped thru the egg crate. and a watchman gobie would slide thru the egg crate to enjoy pods as well.

FWIW heavy fish load, tap water, no water changes, simple soft corals like button polyps.

Kudos to this post. Nutrient recycling at its finest!