Beautiful looking algae popped up in my aquarium

[rubund]

Hello everyone!

Can somebody help me identify this one? I somehow think it is probably easy for people with some more experience than me.

 

[daybreaksky]

looks like caulerpa racemosa
happy reefing!

 

[JGT]

Hello everyone!

Can somebody help me identify this one? I somehow think it is probably easy for people with some more experience than me.

Caulerpa. Invasive. I'd get it out while you can.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Grape Caulerpa maybe? Invasive if so I believe..

 

[SHNICI]

It can be invasive yes, but if you have some sand in the sump, and nothing in growing, you can leave it in that sump, it will consume PO4 and NO3, and time by time you can take part of it out and bin it, that way you will have easy way for nutrients export out. Isn't that bad, but if you have trouble with the water keeping your nitrates and phosph. in good lvl, that Caulerpa can help a bit

 

[JGT]

It can be invasive yes, but if you have some sand in the sump, and nothing in growing, you can leave it in that sump, it will consume PO4 and NO3, and time by time you can take part of it out and bin it, that way you will have easy way for nutrients export out. Isn't that bad, but if you have trouble with the water keeping your nitrates and phosph. in good lvl, that Caulerpa can help a bit

Also like candy to Tangs if you have them in the tank.

 

[rubund]

Thank you all. Great information! I found it much more beautiful to look at than the terrible cyano I had for a while (and got rid of) and the green hair algae that came after it, so it is a pity if this one is that invasive.

It can be invasive yes, but if you have some sand in the sump, and nothing in growing, you can leave it in that sump, it will consume PO4 and NO3, and time by time you can take part of it out and bin it

I have some chaetomorpha in the small sump in the AIO tank for exactly that purpose and it does not work too bad. If the Caulerpa could help out, it would be ok for me.

 

[SHNICI]

Thank you all. Great information! I found it much more beautiful to look at than the terrible cyano I had for a while (and got rid of) and the green hair algae that came after it, so it is a pity if this one is that invasive.




I have some chaetomorpha in the small sump in the AIO tank for exactly that purpose and it does not work too bad. If the Caulerpa could help out, it would be ok for me.

have on mind to trim it often, not to fill completely the small AIO sump

 

[Snoopdog]

have on mind to trim it often, not to fill completely the small AIO sump

IMHO the only way it is invasive is when the roots get embedded into the rock, the smallest root can grow back out. It does grow fairly fast but I also think it gives the tank a great look. Personally I love the stuff and wish I could find it local.

 

[PicassoClown04]

Grape caulerpa, as others have said, tangs love it! It used to be common as a fuge macro but studies have shown that caulerpa actually reduces coral growth rates. That was done on regular caulerpa though, not grape, and is why we mostly use chaeto now. I think it’s a very pretty macro!