What is this root like, leafy stuff growing in my refugium? Hopefully something good :)

EvolvedMonkey

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 23, 2023
Messages
155
Reaction score
74
Location
Charlotte, NC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
IMG_9527.jpeg
What is this stuff growing on the walls of my refugium? Could it be another macro algae? I was gifted some ‘clean chaeto’, maybe this came along for the ride!
 

bradleym

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
966
Reaction score
1,140
Location
St. Louis, MO
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Caulerpa Racemosa is another possibility, I can't tell if the leaves are round or flat-topped.

Caulerpa is an aggressive grower, and very effective at removing nutrients as it grows. But if the tank nutrients are too low for too long, it can die off and release nutrients back into the water. So just be sure to keep it in check and don't let it take over the refugium.
 
OP
OP
E

EvolvedMonkey

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 23, 2023
Messages
155
Reaction score
74
Location
Charlotte, NC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Caulerpa Racemosa is another possibility, I can't tell if the leaves are round or flat-topped.

Caulerpa is an aggressive grower, and very effective at removing nutrients as it grows. But if the tank nutrients are too low for too long, it can die off and release nutrients back into the water. So just be sure to keep it in check and don't let it take over the refugium.
I had a huge problem with nitrates at 140 ppm.. I've been working for 6 months+ to reduce those to 20 ppm via water changes and most recently NOPOx. One problem with the NoPox is that it brought the phosphates down to zero, before Nitrates were reduced to an acceptable level.

Which nutrients does the Caulerpa remove, and what should I look out for?

As it starts to take over, do I literally just pull it out in chunks to keep it in check?
 

bradleym

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2011
Messages
966
Reaction score
1,140
Location
St. Louis, MO
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think most macroalgae remove nitrates and phosphates. I heard somewhere it's a ratio of 15:1 or thereabouts, so you need some of both for them to grow. And yes, as it grows, just throw some out, unless you happen to get a tang that likes to eat it.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHICH OF THESE CREEPY REEF CRITTERS IS MOST LIKELY TO GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES? (PICTURED IN THE THREAD)

  • The Bobbit Worm

    Votes: 50 66.7%
  • The Goblin Shark

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • The Sea Wolf

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Giant Spider Crabs

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • The Stargazer Fish

    Votes: 5 6.7%
  • The Giant Isopod

    Votes: 9 12.0%
  • The Giant Squid

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • Other (Please explain!)

    Votes: 5 6.7%
Back
Top