Plant growth on LR?

SSpiro · 04/01/2008, 11:32 AM

I've been meaning to post this, but haven't had the chance.

I have noticed a few pieces of LR are growing some plants on them.. Stems with leaves. Green.

I haven't really seen other people's FTS photos with plants on their rocks, so I'm a little baffled. I'll try and take some pics tonight. Seems like its on the rocks that have the most coralline.

What is it? Is it good? Bad? Should I remove?

D to the P · 04/01/2008, 11:56 AM

macro algae more than likely. It is perfectly safe although there are some species that will take off like weeds. They will act like any other plant and absorb nitrates and phosphates slowly, and provide food for certain fish, and refuge for small micro invertebrates. I wouldn't pull it out, and its probably a form of caulerpa which commonly hitchhikes on liverock.

SSpiro · 04/01/2008, 12:03 PM

Glad to hear its not a bad thing. Thanks!

Kep · 04/01/2008, 12:11 PM

Not a bad thing unless it starts taking over; which caulerpa (a common type of macro algae) is known to do. The good news is there are fish that will keep it under control if it becomes a problem. It's hard to really say what it is without a pic, but most tangs eat macros and the fox face rabbitfish will completely rid the tank of macros.

04/01/2008, 11:32 AM	#1
SSpiro Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,942	Plant growth on LR? I've been meaning to post this, but haven't had the chance. I have noticed a few pieces of LR are growing some plants on them.. Stems with leaves. Green. I haven't really seen other people's FTS photos with plants on their rocks, so I'm a little baffled. I'll try and take some pics tonight. Seems like its on the rocks that have the most coralline. What is it? Is it good? Bad? Should I remove?

04/01/2008, 11:56 AM	#2
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	macro algae more than likely. It is perfectly safe although there are some species that will take off like weeds. They will act like any other plant and absorb nitrates and phosphates slowly, and provide food for certain fish, and refuge for small micro invertebrates. I wouldn't pull it out, and its probably a form of caulerpa which commonly hitchhikes on liverock. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

04/01/2008, 12:03 PM	#3
SSpiro Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,942	Glad to hear its not a bad thing. Thanks!

04/01/2008, 12:11 PM	#4
Kep Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 225	Not a bad thing unless it starts taking over; which caulerpa (a common type of macro algae) is known to do. The good news is there are fish that will keep it under control if it becomes a problem. It's hard to really say what it is without a pic, but most tangs eat macros and the fox face rabbitfish will completely rid the tank of macros.