Chato and Caulerpa Together. Is is a Problem?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 6, 2017

I'm having and odd die off of chato in my refugium. The only real change is I somewhat recently added Caulerpa Sertularioides to my Refugium. Is it a problem? Is there a chemical warfare perhaps?

And yes Im pretty sure it's Sertularioides, it has the very fine leaves, although I suppose it could be taxifolia....

My chato is usually so prolific...

Cary Meredith · Mar 6, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I'm having and odd die off of chato in my refugium. The only real change is I somewhat recently added Caulerpa Sertularioides to my Refugium. Is it a problem? Is there a chemical warfare perhaps?

And yes Im pretty sure it's Sertularioides, it has the very fine leaves, although I suppose it could be taxifolia....

My chato is usually so prolific...

I don't think so because that's what I have, I pretty sure

Cary Meredith · Mar 6, 2017

I know that looks just like chato but, it's both.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 6, 2017

Cary Meredith said:
I know that looks just like chato but, it's both.

Ive always had that too. I belive thats Caulerpa brachypus
https://www.google.com/search?q=Cau...-HpcPSAhXF6yYKHXs5AQsQsAQINg&biw=1920&bih=950

Cary Meredith · Mar 6, 2017

Here is a front view

Chiefmaster30 · Mar 6, 2017

I've been having the same issue and wandering the same thing about mine. I currently have chaeto and caulerpa profilera in my fife and neither one are growing much at all. I'm using a old fluorescent 20 gallon tank light. That's possibly my issue. Not trying to steal your thread or nothing.

fragit · Mar 6, 2017

I had the opposite problem. Not sure what type of caleurpa I had, but once the Cheato took off it died.

Flippers4pups · Mar 6, 2017

Makes sense that they would compete for nutrients. One probably up takes faster than the other or photosensitizes faster.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 6, 2017

It's not actually growing that quickly at all and oh boy there's plenty nutrients to go around in my tank.

Cary Meredith said:
Here is a front view

My fuge looked like that months ago.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 6, 2017

Chiefmaster30 said:
I've been having the same issue and wandering the same thing about mine. I currently have chaeto and caulerpa profilera in my fife and neither one are growing much at all. I'm using a old fluorescent 20 gallon tank light. That's possibly my issue. Not trying to steal your thread or nothing.

There's s several kinds of calurpa too. I had had two until recently.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 9, 2017

So upon further research, yes, several types of caulerpa contain a toxin to help outcompete other algaes and organisms in the same way corals and several terrestrial plants do.
Upon removing the caulerpa, despite it being in good health, it stank like death on a beach.

AMPM · Mar 9, 2017

Chiefmaster30 said:
I've been having the same issue and wandering the same thing about mine. I currently have chaeto and caulerpa profilera in my fife and neither one are growing much at all. I'm using a old fluorescent 20 gallon tank light. That's possibly my issue. Not trying to steal your thread or nothing.

I was using a 20 Gallon florescent lamp to grow my caulerpa, never saw large amounts of growth. I added one 5000k LED bulb from home depot and it started growing g like crazy. like within two weeks it doubled. So I added a second bulb. It's over my 30 gallon fug