Caulerpa or chaeto?

[bugeye]

Which do you prefer for your fuge? I use chaeto cause someone gave me some when I first started my tank.

 

[touchingstoves]

Chaeto or ulva, but that wasn't a choice.

I think seahorses are cool.

 

[xxsevxx]

I was using chaeto in the beginning and it was fine for awhile. I couldnt get my nitrates down in the tank so a friend suggested that i try Caulerpa and I havent looked back since. I had not only my nitrates drop to almost nothing but, the little bit of hair algae and bubble algae i had also fully disappeared. The Caulerpa grows SOOOOO much faster than the Chaeto ever did so it was a huge improvement for my tank. I have a 28gal btw.

 

[rayray]

there are nearly 100 species of caulerpa, and I think less than 10 of chaeto. caulerpa was waaaaayyy better.

move to another state or go back in time to experience what reefers in this state are missing.

 

[touchingstoves]

there are nearly 100 species of caulerpa, and I think less than 10 of chaeto. caulerpa was waaaaayyy better.

move to another state or go back in time to experience what reefers in this state are missing.

But chaeto doesn't go sexual. However, both need pruning... But chaeto imo is easier to prune.


I think seahorses are cool.

 

[rayray]

how many species of caulerpa have you used? how many busted nuts in your tank?

I need to move outta state so I can buy more caulerpa and guns...

 

[BeanMachine]

how many species of caulerpa have you used? how many busted nuts in your tank?

I need to move outta state so I can buy more caulerpa and guns...

haha nice.

I've always read it does, but in reality your right I haven't seen very many people post that it actually did spread to a display tank.

 

[watchguy123]

I can't imagine why anyone would want a species of invasive algae in their tank. Admittedly, I've never seen or used Caulerpa, but it's illegal in California so why even consider it.

 

[BeanMachine]

I can't imagine why anyone would want a species of invasive algae in their tank. Admittedly, I've never seen or used Caulerpa, but it's illegal in California so why even consider it.

Only certain types are illegal. Its invasive because it grows really fast compared to other macro algaes, but also why hobbyists would want it say over chaeto for nutrient export.

 

[rayray]

I can't imagine why anyone would want a species of invasive algae in their tank. Admittedly, I've never seen or used Caulerpa, but it's illegal in California so why even consider it.

Caulerpa is a better tool for the job and they are also more beautiful IMO.

Many people say the same thing about reef aquariums in general, that they are bad for tve environment, they never experienced the amazement.

 

[lowbudget]

Only certain types are illegal. Its invasive because it grows really fast compared to other macro algaes, but also why hobbyists would want it say over chaeto for nutrient export.

who would admit to it. hahahahaha

 

[pciscott]

If you light your fuge 24/7 Caulerpa should not go sexual, I have used both and I think Cheato is easier to prune and deal with, if yours is not growing a few drops of Iron Supplement daily will help it grow faster.

I am looking for a large amount of Chaeto at this time, but it needs to be from a pest free SPS system, willing to pay or trade something nice for it.

 

[Hugo’s_reef]

I have tried chaeto in my tank for almost a year now but I have had no luck with it .i tried many types of bulbs and LED's still no luck.it doesn't die it just won't grow .even though it's illegal in California I have heard of many hobbyist that have used it with great results because of its fast rate of growth . As far as it going asexual it seems everyone has the same opinion either keep it lit for 24 hours or keep it well pruned and you should be fine . I'm currently trying to get my hands on it myself as soon as I do I'll give it a try and let you know my first hand experience haha


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[xmas_one]

Back in the day we used to keep caulerpa in the display, to me it looks nice. I never had troubles with it "taking over" the tank. Like much in this hobby, BS rumors become BS facts when regurgitated enough.

 

[touchingstoves]

I have tried chaeto in my tank for almost a year now but I have had no luck with it .i tried many types of bulbs and LED's still no luck.it doesn't die it just won't grow .even though it's illegal in California I have heard of many hobbyist that have used it with great results because of its fast rate of growth . As far as it going asexual it seems everyone has the same opinion either keep it lit for 24 hours or keep it well pruned and you should be fine . I'm currently trying to get my hands on it myself as soon as I do I'll give it a try and let you know my first hand experience haha


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Which type of caulerpa are you looking for? I understand keeping it on for 24 hrs etc, (and I have in my fuge) however, they do go sexual regardless when a runner dies. Not only does it give off the nitrates and phosphates it absorbs, but then the toxicity becomes a problem. I have both chaeto and caulerpa in my tanks and I've had caulerpa go sexual (from my display tank) with both nothing happens and it went toxic and killed the whole tank. And I have had chaeto not grow, spinning, not spinning, different colored lights, etc.

So what did I learn? Well I thought about it and I realized that depending on how much bioload I had and how good of a skimmer I had, that would affect the need for one or the other. For me, my bioload for some of my tanks are extremely small and the skimmers can help with the bio matter and then the chaeto would take up the nitrates and phos. On my bigger bioload tanks, I use caulerpa (24hrs) and have decent skimmers. When you have too good of a skimmer and use macros, I find I'm starving the macros for nutrients, and therefore they go sexual and its hell from there.

Just my opinion, and while I understand most of my fellow reefers and much more knowledgable, I like to contribute in my experiences bad and good. But ultimately, in the whole bigger picture we all learn by our experiences. So if you want some caulerpa Lmk.


I think seahorses are cool.

 

[jesuses]

I have some type of caulerpa in my fuge that I didn't want and rip it out every chance I get but it keeps coming back. Just be careful not to get it in your display because if it gets a hold its going to get annoying. Chaeto has always worked great for me, but it can get into pumps. I've tried other algae but have had no luck, ordered some more though lol

 

[Hugo’s_reef]

Which type of caulerpa are you looking for? I understand keeping it on for 24 hrs etc, (and I have in my fuge) however, they do go sexual regardless when a runner dies. Not only does it give off the nitrates and phosphates it absorbs, but then the toxicity becomes a problem. I have both chaeto and caulerpa in my tanks and I've had caulerpa go sexual (from my display tank) with both nothing happens and it went toxic and killed the whole tank. And I have had chaeto not grow, spinning, not spinning, different colored lights, etc.

So what did I learn? Well I thought about it and I realized that depending on how much bioload I had and how good of a skimmer I had, that would affect the need for one or the other. For me, my bioload for some of my tanks are extremely small and the skimmers can help with the bio matter and then the chaeto would take up the nitrates and phos. On my bigger bioload tanks, I use caulerpa (24hrs) and have decent skimmers. When you have too good of a skimmer and use macros, I find I'm starving the macros for nutrients, and therefore they go sexual and its hell from there.

Just my opinion, and while I understand most of my fellow reefers and much more knowledgable, I like to contribute in my experiences bad and good. But ultimately, in the whole bigger picture we all learn by our experiences. So if you want some caulerpa Lmk.


I think seahorses are cool.

Pmd



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[rayray]

A skimmer would compete for food for the macro. If possible, go all biofiltration & ditch the skimmer. The only thing u would loose from the skimmer would be oxygenation, which you could achieve with an ozone system.

 

[Coelli]

If you light your fuge 24/7 Caulerpa should not go sexual, I have used both and I think Cheato is easier to prune and deal with, if yours is not growing a few drops of Iron Supplement daily will help it grow faster.

I am looking for a large amount of Chaeto at this time, but it needs to be from a pest free SPS system, willing to pay or trade something nice for it.

How much do you need? I have a 10-gallon tank half full and need to pull at least another gallon+ bag from my fuge. If you're worried about pests you can freshwater dip afaik.