what eats grape caulerpa?

Ron Thomas · 01/27/2006, 09:03 AM

I'm having a problem with grape caulerpa in my 24-gallon tank. What will be a good bet for helping eradicate it?

kel5944 · 01/27/2006, 09:16 AM

Emerald crabs may help. I've heard that they can occasionally be hit or miss, but I have little spots of a very attractive red iridescent bubble algae in my tank and my emerald loves it.

If you have a lot of bubble algae it is a good idea to try to remove as much of it by hand as possible without breaking the bubbles. When the bubbles break they release a small amount of toxin that can harm your corals. HTH

Gobie · 01/27/2006, 09:17 AM

Manual removal, nothing that will eat it will fit in your tank.

ChadT · 01/27/2006, 09:18 AM

Manual removal would be your best bet for that size tank. You might also try doubling your water change schedule to remove excess nutrients.

kel5944 · 01/27/2006, 09:22 AM

My emerald is very happy in my 29 gallon. I'm pretty sure it would be fine in yours too as long as you have algae for him to eat. I occasionally feed mine nori seaweed.

romunov · 01/27/2006, 09:47 AM

I find manual removal the best method. It's a great way of exporting as well.

bhdmc · 01/27/2006, 12:40 PM

The original question was about Grape Caulerpa which is a macro algae(good algae) compare to the Bubble aglae which is a nuisance aglae due to poor water conditions in the tank. Did I missed something?

donfishy76 · 01/27/2006, 12:45 PM

Actually some kinds of grape caulerpa can easily reach plague conditions depending on the water quality. If there is alot of nutrients, then it will just keep growing, and it is hard to get all of it out.

winyfrog · 01/27/2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

[Caulerpa algae are used in some refuge. Did I miss something? [/B]

My thoughts exactly!

Airman · 01/27/2006, 12:54 PM

I use Caulerpa algae in my refugium.

MinuteJohn · 01/27/2006, 01:20 PM

I added some grape caulerpa to my tank. Worse than hair algae in my opinion. Spreads much faster. Pulling it off the rocks doesn't help because it just grows right back. I pulled all the fish out months ago and essentially stopped feeding the tank. This stuff just doesn't go away.

I've pulled all the corals out of my 55 with the infestation and left the lights off for about a week now. It's still alive but I figure it can't last forever without light. I added a seahare and it eats the stuff but not nearly as fast as it grows.

I have a feeling that even if I can kill it by leaving the lights out, it will just come back after the lights are back on. Next step is to break down the tank, cook all the rock. Good luck.

FlipFlops24/7 · 01/27/2006, 01:24 PM

im having the same problem in my 29 gallon. it is growing out of control. Would a rabbitfish eat it?

sushistix · 01/27/2006, 01:32 PM

Your tank could not be a permanant home for it but a green scat would eat it. It would be gone very quickly mine is a hog.

rjwilson37 · 01/27/2006, 01:37 PM

I had an Emerald Crab that would eat both kinds of algae, the little bit of bubble algae I would get here and there as well as devouring the caulerpa.

Alaskan Reefer · 01/27/2006, 01:44 PM

I will second that grape caulerpa is worse than hair algae to eradicate -- had that that problem in a 75 when a small strand got into the display. Took me weeks to get it all out, even with reduced photoperiod and increased water changes. Emerald crabs help, manual removal probably the best. I would just make it a point to attack it every day, be careful not to break it when unrwapping it from the rocks, and brush the roots and stems that do break off out of the crevices with a toothbrush. Good luck...

Alaskan Reefer · 01/27/2006, 01:45 PM

Oh, and I only use Chaetomorpha now -- my powder blue and ocellaris clown both eat it readily. It makes for a nice nori supplement.

FlipFlops24/7 · 01/27/2006, 01:56 PM

im gonna grab a few emerald crabs this weekend. Is there anything I need to be concerned with having emeralds? Do they disrupt any corals. Can I keep them with a cleaner shrimp? I have blue and red legged hermit crabs as well as cerith snails, will these all be ok? Just curious, not trying to hijack the thread or anything.

Alaskan Reefer · 01/27/2006, 02:19 PM

Emeralds are good citizens when they're small. I had one grow to the point where his carapace was silver dollar sized -- and strangely I had almost no snails left when I finally caught him. You could use them in the display until they got too large for your taste, then they could help you keep the fuge trimmed.

jnb · 01/27/2006, 02:22 PM

Try your best to get females - they are not as destructive if ever emeralds are destructive

mikesommers · 04/25/2010, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airman

I use Caulerpa algae in my refugium.

That's how my nightmare bagain! Chaetomorpha is all I will ever use in any of my fuge setups...... Good luck to all on removal.

neoalchemist74 · 05/05/2010, 07:21 PM

I have it in my fuge,not by choice though, but I have a thorn back cowfish that will eat every shred of it that makes it into my display. no animal can eat to much of the stuf, it produces toxins to protect itself. I also have a nano thats over run with it and also plan on either dark treatment or cooking the live rock.

SkyPapa · 05/05/2010, 09:08 PM

It would be too big for the OP but I have had several one spot foxfaces over the years and they will rid a tank of caulerpa racemosa ( grape caulerpa).
I have a 5 inch one now in my 180 and the racemosa in my fuge can't get a foothold with the foxface. I feed it to him as a treat.

01/27/2006, 09:03 AM	#1
Ron Thomas Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: NC Posts: 54	what eats grape caulerpa? I'm having a problem with grape caulerpa in my 24-gallon tank. What will be a good bet for helping eradicate it? __________________ squidman Current Tank Info: 55-gallon

01/27/2006, 09:47 AM	#6
romunov Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,453	I find manual removal the best method. It's a great way of exporting as well. __________________ Life is too short to learn everything from experience. "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free."

01/27/2006, 12:54 PM	#10
Airman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 643	I use Caulerpa algae in my refugium. __________________ What is man, that thou art mindful of him?...:) Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, DSB, protein skimmer, UV light, Sump/Refugium

01/27/2006, 01:24 PM	#12
FlipFlops24/7 I'd tap that glass Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 1,247	im having the same problem in my 29 gallon. it is growing out of control. Would a rabbitfish eat it? __________________ T.J. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder with 29g sump. 1x150w 10K MH HQI & 2x96w PC actinics

01/27/2006, 01:37 PM	#14
rjwilson37 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: West Michigan Posts: 7,104	I had an Emerald Crab that would eat both kinds of algae, the little bit of bubble algae I would get here and there as well as devouring the caulerpa. __________________ Isn't life just wonderful. 29g Biocube Standard Pump Standard 72w PC Lighting Current Tank Info: 29g Biocube Reef Tank

01/27/2006, 09:16 AM	#2
kel5944 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Louisville, KY/ IN Posts: 93	Emerald crabs may help. I've heard that they can occasionally be hit or miss, but I have little spots of a very attractive red iridescent bubble algae in my tank and my emerald loves it. If you have a lot of bubble algae it is a good idea to try to remove as much of it by hand as possible without breaking the bubbles. When the bubbles break they release a small amount of toxin that can harm your corals. HTH

01/27/2006, 09:17 AM	#3
Gobie Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 668	Manual removal, nothing that will eat it will fit in your tank.

01/27/2006, 09:18 AM	#4
ChadT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 136	Manual removal would be your best bet for that size tank. You might also try doubling your water change schedule to remove excess nutrients.

01/27/2006, 09:22 AM	#5
kel5944 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Louisville, KY/ IN Posts: 93	My emerald is very happy in my 29 gallon. I'm pretty sure it would be fine in yours too as long as you have algae for him to eat. I occasionally feed mine nori seaweed.

01/27/2006, 12:40 PM	#7
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	The original question was about Grape Caulerpa which is a macro algae(good algae) compare to the Bubble aglae which is a nuisance aglae due to poor water conditions in the tank. Did I missed something?

01/27/2006, 12:45 PM	#8
donfishy76 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 667	Actually some kinds of grape caulerpa can easily reach plague conditions depending on the water quality. If there is alot of nutrients, then it will just keep growing, and it is hard to get all of it out.

01/27/2006, 01:20 PM	#11
MinuteJohn Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: P.S.N. Posts: 71	I added some grape caulerpa to my tank. Worse than hair algae in my opinion. Spreads much faster. Pulling it off the rocks doesn't help because it just grows right back. I pulled all the fish out months ago and essentially stopped feeding the tank. This stuff just doesn't go away. I've pulled all the corals out of my 55 with the infestation and left the lights off for about a week now. It's still alive but I figure it can't last forever without light. I added a seahare and it eats the stuff but not nearly as fast as it grows. I have a feeling that even if I can kill it by leaving the lights out, it will just come back after the lights are back on. Next step is to break down the tank, cook all the rock. Good luck.

01/27/2006, 01:32 PM	#13
sushistix Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Stonington CT Posts: 46	Your tank could not be a permanant home for it but a green scat would eat it. It would be gone very quickly mine is a hog.

01/27/2006, 01:44 PM	#15
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I will second that grape caulerpa is worse than hair algae to eradicate -- had that that problem in a 75 when a small strand got into the display. Took me weeks to get it all out, even with reduced photoperiod and increased water changes. Emerald crabs help, manual removal probably the best. I would just make it a point to attack it every day, be careful not to break it when unrwapping it from the rocks, and brush the roots and stems that do break off out of the crevices with a toothbrush. Good luck... __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

01/27/2006, 01:45 PM	#16
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Oh, and I only use Chaetomorpha now -- my powder blue and ocellaris clown both eat it readily. It makes for a nice nori supplement. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

01/27/2006, 01:56 PM	#17
FlipFlops24/7 I'd tap that glass Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Neenah, WI Posts: 1,247	im gonna grab a few emerald crabs this weekend. Is there anything I need to be concerned with having emeralds? Do they disrupt any corals. Can I keep them with a cleaner shrimp? I have blue and red legged hermit crabs as well as cerith snails, will these all be ok? Just curious, not trying to hijack the thread or anything. __________________ T.J. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder with 29g sump. 1x150w 10K MH HQI & 2x96w PC actinics

01/27/2006, 02:19 PM	#18
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Emeralds are good citizens when they're small. I had one grow to the point where his carapace was silver dollar sized -- and strangely I had almost no snails left when I finally caught him. You could use them in the display until they got too large for your taste, then they could help you keep the fuge trimmed. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

01/27/2006, 02:22 PM	#19
jnb Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S.E. Florida Deerfield Beach Posts: 2,581	Try your best to get females - they are not as destructive if ever emeralds are destructive

05/05/2010, 07:21 PM	#21
neoalchemist74 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Longmont Colorado Posts: 627	I have it in my fuge,not by choice though, but I have a thorn back cowfish that will eat every shred of it that makes it into my display. no animal can eat to much of the stuf, it produces toxins to protect itself. I also have a nano thats over run with it and also plan on either dark treatment or cooking the live rock. __________________ You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk. Current Tank Info: in progress

05/05/2010, 09:08 PM	#22
SkyPapa Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 994	It would be too big for the OP but I have had several one spot foxfaces over the years and they will rid a tank of caulerpa racemosa ( grape caulerpa). I have a 5 inch one now in my 180 and the racemosa in my fuge can't get a foothold with the foxface. I feed it to him as a treat.