Macro algae maintenance

CoralClasher · Apr 26, 2019

I'm about two months into a refugium add on. I'm wondering about pruning and care for the macros. I'm seeing some of the green grape caulerpa algae turning clear. Should I be cutting and removing the clear parts? Some of the red algae is turning clear and green.

Fourstars · Apr 26, 2019

Yes, keep it trimmed so you also get good flow.

CoralClasher · Apr 26, 2019

I've got moderate flow any more and the sand blows around. I try to mix everything up twice a day. I haven't done any trimming and don't really know what and how much to pull out?

Fourstars · Apr 26, 2019

That’s all you need. I flip mine ever few days, and trim it so it has room to grow. But not so much it causes a nutrient spike in the tank.

Orm Embar · Apr 27, 2019

For Chaeto, I just rip out a bunch and trash it (or, if I wasn't recovering from flatworms, sell/trade it).

For Caulerpa, I would definitely keep it trimmed - I used to use that, but it would periodically all disintegrate/"go sexual", release spores all over the tank, and then grow everywhere. It ended up overgrowing my corals and wiped the tank. Since then, I won't let Caulerpa near my tank. Having said that, if you keep it trimmed, that may work in prventing it from turning into spores.

Hemmdog · Apr 27, 2019

Are you dosing trace elements? Mine only goes clear/white when it’s low on traces.

CoralClasher · Apr 28, 2019

Hemmdog said:
Are you dosing trace elements? Mine only goes clear/white when it’s low on traces.

I'm using aquaForest components 1 2 3 and chaetoGro. I check and add phosphate and nitrogen daily. I definitely see the clear break up and float to the DT but the tangs like to eat it. I've got some green algae covering my coralline on the bottom of DT it's staying short so I'm not sure if it's green hair algae?