macroalgae

christa · 04/30/2006, 08:20 PM

Hello,
What is the secret to keeping Caulerpa (sp) algae alive? I bought some attached to live rock to put in my refugium and now it is almost all dead. All my parameters are right, I put light on the algae during night, off during day. Thanks for your help!

Christa

Chaotic Reefer4u · 04/30/2006, 08:50 PM

hi there christa, in order to keep your macro algae alive you have to leave the light on it 24/7 night and day! being that you stated your water parameters are within reason...hope this helps.

christa · 04/30/2006, 09:24 PM

Thanks! I had no idea they required it all the time. Do you think it will come back to life? There is some still alive.

Christa

Chaotic Reefer4u · 04/30/2006, 09:51 PM

yes it might bounce back for you just be patient and add some more if you have to, hope this helps...

clevebrowns · 04/30/2006, 11:13 PM

Hey Chao,
Why have I been reading on different sites and threads that your
lights over your macro algae should be on opposite of your display
lights? I have mine running just as christa.
Did you suggest she change because of lack of growth?
I just want a better understanding.
Thanks

jimbo045 · 04/30/2006, 11:16 PM

I say boost your Calcium level up, most take in a lot of CA. James

Samala · 04/30/2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

I say boost your Calcium level up, most take in a lot of CA. James

Not Caulerpa species, they are not calcerous and do not have heavy demands for Ca+.

>Sarah

bertoni · 04/30/2006, 11:28 PM

Caulerpa doesn't require 24x7 lighting. What kind of lamp are you using for the refugium? Did the macro slowly die back, or is something eating it?

christa · 05/01/2006, 05:46 AM

I have a grow light on it (like you would buy at Home Depot.) There are no critteres eating it that I know of, just some small starfish that came on the rock. It has slowly died back. Thanks for all the help!
Christa

bertoni · 05/01/2006, 05:41 PM

Well, the grow light might not be working well enough for whatever species of Caulerpa that you have. I ended up using PC lighting over my refugium, then MH. Hard to say. Dosing iron helps in some cases.

04/30/2006, 08:20 PM	#1
christa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 118	macroalgae Hello, What is the secret to keeping Caulerpa (sp) algae alive? I bought some attached to live rock to put in my refugium and now it is almost all dead. All my parameters are right, I put light on the algae during night, off during day. Thanks for your help! Christa

04/30/2006, 08:50 PM	#2
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	macro algae hi there christa, in order to keep your macro algae alive you have to leave the light on it 24/7 night and day! being that you stated your water parameters are within reason...hope this helps. __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

04/30/2006, 09:51 PM	#4
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	yes it might bounce back for you just be patient and add some more if you have to, hope this helps... __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

04/30/2006, 11:13 PM	#5
clevebrowns Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 12	Hey Chao, Why have I been reading on different sites and threads that your lights over your macro algae should be on opposite of your display lights? I have mine running just as christa. Did you suggest she change because of lack of growth? I just want a better understanding. Thanks __________________ I might dump this guy in my sump ! Current Tank Info: 75gal fish only , 12gal Nano

04/30/2006, 11:28 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Caulerpa doesn't require 24x7 lighting. What kind of lamp are you using for the refugium? Did the macro slowly die back, or is something eating it? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/30/2006, 09:24 PM	#3
christa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 118	Thanks! I had no idea they required it all the time. Do you think it will come back to life? There is some still alive. Christa

04/30/2006, 11:16 PM	#6
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	I say boost your Calcium level up, most take in a lot of CA. James

05/01/2006, 05:46 AM	#9
christa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 118	I have a grow light on it (like you would buy at Home Depot.) There are no critteres eating it that I know of, just some small starfish that came on the rock. It has slowly died back. Thanks for all the help! Christa

05/01/2006, 05:41 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Well, the grow light might not be working well enough for whatever species of Caulerpa that you have. I ended up using PC lighting over my refugium, then MH. Hard to say. Dosing iron helps in some cases. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni