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

[EvolvedMonkey]

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!

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

Some pictures in white light.

 

[bradleym]

It is one of the various types of caulerpa. I forget the name of this one, but it is common in refugiums also.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

It is one of the various types of caulerpa. I forget the name of this one, but it is common in refugiums also.

Thank you!

And it's 'safe and good' for the tank/refugium?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, "Grape Caulerpa" - in this case either Caulpera chemnitzia or Caulerpa chemnitzia var. turbinata.

 

[bradleym]

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.

 

[EvolvedMonkey]

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]

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.