Caulerpa species

[Sanj]

Hello,

I was reading a book on Reef Intertebrates by Robert Fenner, cant remeber full title off hand. However it was talking about Caulerpa and certain forms being more growth inhibiting to other life and potentially noxious. Racemosa was quoted as such a species. However what are the ones that are relatively more stable an innocuous...Prolifera, sertularoides?

Is Serularoides and taxifolia vesrions easy to get hold off?

Anyone use Red algaes in their filter?

I will use Chaeto, but dont want a mono-culture of algae.

[Sanj]

An additional question if any can answer: does chaeto grow well under 24/7 lighting like Caulerpa?

[Gemandy]

Hi,

I only use Cheato and I have the sump lit 24/7 and it grows very well.

I have to thin it out roughly once a month - 6 weeks

Doug :)

[ourmanflint]

I'm in the same position I guess, looking for a variety of algaes rather than just one. I think I would stay away from C.racemosa as it can sometimes disintegrate under stressful conditions. ie 24 hour lighting, and poison your tank.
I think C. sertularioides is the better bet along with prolifera, serrulata and taxifolia.

Looking into red algaes, not sure of their growth rates though.

:D

[Sanj]

Ah thanks for the replies guys. :)

racemosa seemed to be the only one i could see was a definate no no. Its seems caulerpa has got a slighlty bad name in regard to some of them being moderately noxious, but does not seem true of all from what i have read. i just could find any info on the least noxious.

thanks for confirming, i thought Prolifera, sertularoides and taxifolia were better. I think Setuloids was the first species that Leng Sy used to recommend. above others and then later seemd some others were just as good.

Regarding red algae the book I am reading has a large section on Marine algae and highly rates the genus Gracilaria for huge capacity for nutrient export and for being very safe. fish also love it as a food stuff. :)