Calerpa

freeswimmingfis · 11/12/2010, 03:53 PM

My 90g has been set up since January (11 months). All rock, sand and water was transfered from a well established tank. It is well cycled.
About a month ago, I noticed some Calerpa has sprouted up. There is also something that popped up that I not sure what it is. I have not added anything to the tank in over 4 months because of a problem in the tank. Years ago, I had a planted LPS/softie reef tank that was full of Calerpa. I loved the look, but I also know the possible problems of calerpa in the DT.
Anyway, I am not sure where it came from, or why it took 10 months to sprout, but it is there in 2 places (grape on bottom left, feather bottom middle).
Is this something I should worry about?
So the problem I am/was having:
Some of my Zoas, clove and GSP were melting away. I also had an outbreak of hair algae. My parameters were never too high. I dont have the #'s in front of me, but nothing threw up a red flag until I tested magnesium. Turned out I had low magnesium, around 900. I dosed with Seachem Mag to raise it, but it always goes low again. My load is light, so not really sure what is consuming the Mag? I think it is mostly from the IO salt I was using. I am about to buy a bucket of Oceanic, hoping that will help.

Could low Mag cause the calerpa to sprout?
Here are a few pics of the Calerpa, the plant I am not sure what it is and a FTS. I turned the lights on and took these, so keep in mind that this was less than 5 minutes with the lights on.

Grape:

Grape:

Feather (I think):

And here is the one I not sure what it is? ID?:

And...the FTS:

Thanks

freeswimmingfis · 11/12/2010, 04:10 PM

Forgot to add my setup:
90 gal Oceanic RR
Oak stand & canopy-Cherry stained
4 overdriven 48” T5 retro kit from Hellolights (switching to 2 250w, 14000k MH this weekend)
Sapphire Aquatics sump/fuge 30x13x16
Shop light with 6500k spiral CF for fuge light
Mag 9.5 return pump
Autotopoff.com dual float switch w/aqualifter pump
PM Bullet 2 beckett skimmer w/ Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC & PM waist collector
BRS Dual reactor GFO & GAC MaxiJet 1200
Eruoreef USA 1/3 HP inline chiller
Tsunami Wavewaker with 2 Aquaclear 70 and 1 Maxijet 1200
150 lbs live rock & 50 lbs live sand

freeswimmingfis · 11/12/2010, 04:10 PM

I can add my parameters later if needed, but I am certain the only thing off is low mag.

gofor100 · 11/12/2010, 05:21 PM

I've got the same exact three algaes growing in my tank... but my Mg is stable at 1350... not sure what's causing this either since I've never kept this algae and haven't added anything new to the tank in quite a while.

Much like you, it just started sprouting up one day...

Fishfish0001 · 11/12/2010, 05:51 PM

Ive had that. I pulled it all out one day, and it hasn't really come back strong since. Actually looks kinda nice in my tank.

Palting · 11/12/2010, 10:28 PM

The green tube is a worm, a filter feeder. Harmless. I had two grow on a rock after I had the rock for 8 months. My wife thought hey were cute, I thought they were ugly. Anyhow, I broke them off since they got in the way of a new frag

. That was several weeks ago, and none have come back.

The Caulerpa can be a problem in the future. One of the rocks I put in my 150 early in the set-up was a rock from my refugium. Caulerpa started to grow from it. I pulled it out, my mistake, while in the tank. Little bits took root and started to grow, with runners under the sand and rock in several places. I left them alone, until I put my 4 tangs in there. No macro, not even Caulerpa, can survive in a tank with 4 tangs

. I suggest you take that one rock out with the Caulerpa, clean and cook it before you return it to your DT.

freeswimmingfis · 11/13/2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

The green tube is a worm, a filter feeder. Harmless. I had two grow on a rock after I had the rock for 8 months. My wife thought hey were cute, I thought they were ugly. Anyhow, I broke them off since they got in the way of a new frag

. That was several weeks ago, and none have come back.

From my local club forum:
The unknown algae is called neomeris, which is a type of calcareous algae
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/sl/index.php

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

The Caulerpa can be a problem in the future. One of the rocks I put in my 150 early in the set-up was a rock from my refugium. Caulerpa started to grow from it. I pulled it out, my mistake, while in the tank. Little bits took root and started to grow, with runners under the sand and rock in several places. I left them alone, until I put my 4 tangs in there. No macro, not even Caulerpa, can survive in a tank with 4 tangs

. I suggest you take that one rock out with the Caulerpa, clean and cook it before you return it to your DT.

I dont think I can pull that rock out, look at the FTS...the rock with the calerpa is the one at the bottom left. It is holding up the entire left side. Plus I wouldnt cook it anyway, it has shrooms, zoas and other cool stuff on it.

NYCBOB · 11/13/2010, 07:06 AM

having caulerpa is the dt isnt all that bad. it can serve as nutrient export as long as u harvest it every 2-3 weeks. i hv caulerpa in one of 2 reef tank. as long as u pull some out every 2-3 weeks, they actually look kind of nice, natural, and r mangeable. caulerpa isnt the cause of ur zoas or shrooms melting away. if u hv hair algae growing, then its ur water parameters, such as phosphate.

tarvis · 11/13/2010, 07:11 AM

mine just disappeared, I wonder if the fox face ate it

Palting · 11/13/2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeswimmingfis

From my local club forum:
The unknown algae is called neomeris, which is a type of calcareous algae
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/sl/index.php

I dont think I can pull that rock out, look at the FTS...the rock with the calerpa is the one at the bottom left. It is holding up the entire left side. Plus I wouldnt cook it anyway, it has shrooms, zoas and other cool stuff on it.

Good to know about Neomeris.

Just be careful with the Caulerpa. I've read too many horror stories on the net about their aggressive spreading growth and their potential for going sexual to be comfortable with them in the DT myself. With a 90 gal tank, you couldt get a tennenti tang or yellow tang to clean it up for you.

Love your rockscape, BTW. Nice and open

noahm · 11/13/2010, 10:16 AM

I have it in my dt. I have a couple of mexican turbos that appear to keep it pretty minimal, but I like the look.

zachfishman · 11/13/2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noahm

I have it in my dt. I have a couple of mexican turbos that appear to keep it pretty minimal, but I like the look.

My turbo about-faced when it came upon some very small, delicate variety of Caulerpa (not exactly sure which kind it is, prob a variety of brachypus), maybe when it runs out of GHA...

tylorarm · 11/13/2010, 05:58 PM

the first looks like caulerpa nummularia. I had it and it became a real problem until i got a rabbitfish that ate it all. Nothing else would eat it and it spreads fast and is difficult to pull out of the cracks in the rock.

11/12/2010, 03:53 PM	#1
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	Calerpa My 90g has been set up since January (11 months). All rock, sand and water was transfered from a well established tank. It is well cycled. About a month ago, I noticed some Calerpa has sprouted up. There is also something that popped up that I not sure what it is. I have not added anything to the tank in over 4 months because of a problem in the tank. Years ago, I had a planted LPS/softie reef tank that was full of Calerpa. I loved the look, but I also know the possible problems of calerpa in the DT. Anyway, I am not sure where it came from, or why it took 10 months to sprout, but it is there in 2 places (grape on bottom left, feather bottom middle). Is this something I should worry about? So the problem I am/was having: Some of my Zoas, clove and GSP were melting away. I also had an outbreak of hair algae. My parameters were never too high. I dont have the #'s in front of me, but nothing threw up a red flag until I tested magnesium. Turned out I had low magnesium, around 900. I dosed with Seachem Mag to raise it, but it always goes low again. My load is light, so not really sure what is consuming the Mag? I think it is mostly from the IO salt I was using. I am about to buy a bucket of Oceanic, hoping that will help. Could low Mag cause the calerpa to sprout? Here are a few pics of the Calerpa, the plant I am not sure what it is and a FTS. I turned the lights on and took these, so keep in mind that this was less than 5 minutes with the lights on. Grape: Grape: Feather (I think): And here is the one I not sure what it is? ID?: And...the FTS: Thanks Last edited by freeswimmingfis; 11/12/2010 at 04:26 PM.

11/12/2010, 05:21 PM	#4
gofor100 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,225	I've got the same exact three algaes growing in my tank... but my Mg is stable at 1350... not sure what's causing this either since I've never kept this algae and haven't added anything new to the tank in quite a while. Much like you, it just started sprouting up one day... __________________ "FISH ARE FRIENDS, NOT FOOD" Current Tank Info: Tank Build in Progress

11/12/2010, 10:28 PM	#6
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	The green tube is a worm, a filter feeder. Harmless. I had two grow on a rock after I had the rock for 8 months. My wife thought hey were cute, I thought they were ugly. Anyhow, I broke them off since they got in the way of a new frag . That was several weeks ago, and none have come back. The Caulerpa can be a problem in the future. One of the rocks I put in my 150 early in the set-up was a rock from my refugium. Caulerpa started to grow from it. I pulled it out, my mistake, while in the tank. Little bits took root and started to grow, with runners under the sand and rock in several places. I left them alone, until I put my 4 tangs in there. No macro, not even Caulerpa, can survive in a tank with 4 tangs . I suggest you take that one rock out with the Caulerpa, clean and cook it before you return it to your DT. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

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11/12/2010, 04:10 PM	#2
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	Forgot to add my setup: 90 gal Oceanic RR Oak stand & canopy-Cherry stained 4 overdriven 48” T5 retro kit from Hellolights (switching to 2 250w, 14000k MH this weekend) Sapphire Aquatics sump/fuge 30x13x16 Shop light with 6500k spiral CF for fuge light Mag 9.5 return pump Autotopoff.com dual float switch w/aqualifter pump PM Bullet 2 beckett skimmer w/ Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC & PM waist collector BRS Dual reactor GFO & GAC MaxiJet 1200 Eruoreef USA 1/3 HP inline chiller Tsunami Wavewaker with 2 Aquaclear 70 and 1 Maxijet 1200 150 lbs live rock & 50 lbs live sand

11/12/2010, 05:51 PM	#5
Fishfish0001 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Posts: 353	Ive had that. I pulled it all out one day, and it hasn't really come back strong since. Actually looks kinda nice in my tank.

11/13/2010, 07:06 AM	#8
NYCBOB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,768	having caulerpa is the dt isnt all that bad. it can serve as nutrient export as long as u harvest it every 2-3 weeks. i hv caulerpa in one of 2 reef tank. as long as u pull some out every 2-3 weeks, they actually look kind of nice, natural, and r mangeable. caulerpa isnt the cause of ur zoas or shrooms melting away. if u hv hair algae growing, then its ur water parameters, such as phosphate.

11/13/2010, 07:11 AM	#9
tarvis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 62	mine just disappeared, I wonder if the fox face ate it

11/13/2010, 10:16 AM	#11
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	I have it in my dt. I have a couple of mexican turbos that appear to keep it pretty minimal, but I like the look.

11/13/2010, 05:58 PM	#13
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	the first looks like caulerpa nummularia. I had it and it became a real problem until i got a rabbitfish that ate it all. Nothing else would eat it and it spreads fast and is difficult to pull out of the cracks in the rock.