Macro algae with corals

[alexanderthefishlover]

So got my hands on beautiful Chaeto and Caulerpa prolifera. Added a sinularia and Kenya tree to the new setup.

So basically, set up a new 10 gallon envisioned a lagoon style scape with two easy corals hermits a shrimp and 3 fish with macroalgae and shells etc

Got my hands on the stuff added it looks beautiful! Now, I did my research quickly and really got into it tonight and I’m reading about the possibility of the Caulerpa prolifera going sexual and piloting the tank.

I basically took a handful of matrix from my mature reef, and some old carbon and took a UV filter from it and placed it into the new setup about 4 days ago. Added some bacteria also and everything has been stable and great.

My concern is, how the heck do I stop the Caulerpa prolifera going sexual? It’s in a main tank it’s not a refugium and so I can’t be running lights 24/7 (am doing this tonight and tomorrow to help acclimate better).

I am dosing iodide, strontium, calcium, magnesium, reef plus (until I get my order of Chaeto grow and iron additives in) I had very low nitrate so dosed to 12 ppm and phos to .5 ppm as I read people had great results with these numbers and even higher.

Hoping no Dino takes hold because my Dino x won’t be an option in this one sadly. The man I got it from had some Dino in corners but I dipped the macro in fresh saltwater in a bowl to rinse it off the best I could and again, I installed a uv filter in the 10 gallon too to help (fingers crossed).

Is it really uncommon for Caulerpa prolifera to go sexual? I read it’s not as common as its relatives? And if so, what’s the risk to the inhabitants should it happen? Obviously the UV will help with spores. Will it nuke the tank? And kill everything? Or will it just be unsightly and balance out again?

I have a long history with freshwater plants and terrestrial plants but none with macro.

Feeling overwhelmed because I don’t want to make a mistake especially not in a 10 gallon where it’s not forgiving.

Please, everyone any advice will and experiences and lessons learned will be happily and kindly accepted!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Science/G]

I think of any of the caulerpa species, prolifera is probably the safest. Stability is the key. If you're really worried about it, get rid of the caulerpa and try some red macro algae instead. Gracillaria is beautiful.

 

[alexanderthefishlover]

I think of any of the caulerpa species, prolifera is probably the safest. Stability is the key. If you're really worried about it, get rid of the caulerpa and try some red macro algae instead. Gracillaria is beautiful.

I wish it was that easy. I cannot locate any other macro in the lower mainland of BC Canada, I got these off Facebook. No stores have them and shipping them isn’t feasible in the winter.

The guy who sold me them said his have never gone sexual and they are very easy and he does nothing to help them. So, fingers crossed.

 

[alexanderthefishlover]

I think of any of the caulerpa species, prolifera is probably the safest. Stability is the key. If you're really worried about it, get rid of the caulerpa and try some red macro algae instead. Gracillaria is beautiful.

 

[alexanderthefishlover]

I think of any of the caulerpa species, prolifera is probably the safest. Stability is the key. If you're really worried about it, get rid of the caulerpa and try some red macro algae instead. Gracillaria is beautiful.

Is this any good?

 

[Science/G]

Is this any good?

Beautiful and hardy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think the concern about caulerpa is it taking over the tank, not sporulation.

I’ve had it happen before without any problem, and in many years of hearing such worries, I do not ever recall hearing a first hand account of a serious problem from it.