Caulerpa

Diener311 · 02-01-2002, 06:57 PM

I was just curious as to what kind of lighting setups are needed to keep Caulerpa alive. I was told that it would grow under normal flourescents by my LFS, so I purchased a bag feather and bubble caulerpa...I'm unsure what the correct names are. In addition to lighting, what other kind of care is needed? Also, does caulerpa help the water quality? Thanks!

Brooke · 02-01-2002, 07:27 PM

Hi Diener and welcome to TRT.

Caulerpa can grow under a number of different lighting schemes. We have some in our mantis tank under 20 watts of light and some in the main tank under 1000 watts of light. It takes time and patience to get it to grow, though. I never had much luck with it, till this tank...and now, of course, we have too much caulerpa. If you buy some from the LFS, acclimate it similar to how you acclimate corals. I've had a few beautiful pieces from the LFS, just melt from improper acclimation. (at least i think that's what it was from). Caulerpa can definately help filter the water of excess nutrients. To keep it from growing rampant in the display tank, many people put it in the sump or a highly lit refugium.

HTH-
Brooke

gregt · 02-01-2002, 07:47 PM

I use the Lights of America 65 watter to grow my caluerpa. It's cheap and very effective. With 18watts NO I would harvest 10oz every other month or so, now I'm pulling out at least 10oz a week. Here's my cheapo (but effective) refugium setup.

http://saltyzoo.com/PhotoAlbum.jsp?u...pment/020119_4

http://saltyzoo.com/PhotoAlbum.jsp?u...pment/011124_2

FishDaddy · 02-01-2002, 08:37 PM

Hi Diener,
Can't add anything to the good advice you've already gotten but

to the Reef Tank!
Dick)

Alice · 02-01-2002, 08:51 PM

Welcome to The Reef Tank! Glad to have you aboard

Diener311 · 02-01-2002, 08:56 PM

I have a 30 gal long with 1 30 watt and 1 20 watt bulb, is that sufficient? And..Thanks for the help.

FishDaddy · 02-01-2002, 09:42 PM

Diener,
Those should work fine. Certain bulbs will enhance plant growth, the ones in the lower Kelvin ratings. There are plant-specific aquarium bulbs available, otherwise, the GE Daylights should work fine.
Dick

julieanne399 · 02-01-2002, 10:59 PM

Hi Diener, I have an 18 inch hang on the back cpr refugium with 12 inch no 4 watt green grow light flourescent on top. My feather caulerpa grows like a weed in it. I also have another kind of caulerpa but I dont know the name of it. It gets natural light during the day and I have the little flourescent light on all night. It would not grow before I added that tiny little light. Works great. Hope that helps. Julie

Caulerpa

Thanks for the advice!