real talk: how do you plant grape caulerpa

[seanarino]

I have genuinely no clue how this is supposed to be held down so I decided to ask since nothing will give me a straight answer.

Do I just... glue it to a rock? Rubber band it to a rock? Plant it in the sand? How far? Let it do whatever? Like, what am I supposed to do with that. Also, any tips with money halimeda?

 

[blaxsun]

Grape Caulerpa

This macroalgae grows from a runner, a common name for the root like system that attaches the algae to the substrate. You can create multiple plants by removing the runner intact from your...

www.reefcleaners.org

 

[blecki]

The correct way to plant grape caulerpa is in a trash can. It is an invasive monster that you are likely to regret.

Anyway it will put down runners in the sand and cling to rocks fine, just rubberband it on for a bit.

 

[RedoubtReef]

I use feather Caulerpa. As far as securing it, I just pushed the runners down into the sand/mud in my refugium and it stays in place just fine. Are you using this in your display or fuge?

 

[MoshJosh]

Stick it in a hole or crack in the rock, rubber band it or zip tie it to a rock, or glue it. None of these are permanent per se, rather they keep the algae in place for long enough for it to take "root". I find that the algae doesn't "like" super glue and the part touching the glue can die back cause the bond to fail. Making a sort of super glue bridge the goes from rock, over the top of the algae stem or root, then back to the rock works OK. . . at least in my experience.

 

[seanarino]

I use feather Caulerpa. As far as securing it, I just pushed the runners down into the sand/mud in my refugium and it stays in place just fine. Are you using this in your display or fuge?

To ignore that other rude person who told me to "plant it in the trash can" - It's in my display. I have the time to trim it regularly. I currently have it weighed down with a small rubble rock since it doesn't want to take hold.

 

[RedoubtReef]

To ignore that other rude person who told me to "plant it in the trash can" - It's in my display. I have the time to trim it regularly. I currently have it weighed down with a small rubble rock since it doesn't want to take hold.

I think he meant it as as joke. It may not have come across that way. I would not place it in my display but, if you want to try that out an maintain it, go for it. As long as you are trimming it and don't let it go sexual you should be fine.

 

[Tcook]

To ignore that other rude person who told me to "plant it in the trash can" - It's in my display. I have the time to trim it regularly. I currently have it weighed down with a small rubble rock since it doesn't want to take hold.

It can be quite invasive and is why it is not allowed to be imported into California.

 

[areefer01]

Not sure if all sea grapes are the same but if you are talking about Caulerpa lentillifera you can wedge it inbetween rocks or lightly rubber band it to a rock. In either case with gentle flow and established system it will grow. As it grows runners will attach to surrounding rock and rubble and be secured.

I have it in my refugium and it spreads reasonably well. Not super fast grower but it does grow such that I can export it to my display for my tang and gold lined rabbit. They love it.

As others have noted lightly rubber band, or wrap it around, or tuck it in, rocks. Light flow until it takes hold. Enjoy.

 

[seanarino]

Not sure if all sea grapes are the same but if you are talking about Caulerpa lentillifera you can wedge it inbetween rocks or lightly rubber band it to a rock. In either case with gentle flow and established system it will grow. As it grows runners will attach to surrounding rock and rubble and be secured.

I have it in my refugium and it spreads reasonably well. Not super fast grower but it does grow such that I can export it to my display for my tang and gold lined rabbit. They love it.

As others have noted lightly rubber band, or wrap it around, or tuck it in, rocks. Light flow until it takes hold. Enjoy.

Thank you. I'm probably gonna readjust it to move it to the back while I put the money halimeda in the front (since it's calcified and grows slower)

 

[Doctorgori]

To ignore that other rude person who told me to "plant it in the trash can" - It's in my display. I have the time to trim it regularly. I currently have it weighed down with a small rubble rock since it doesn't want to take hold.

If I can gently persuade you to reconsider. My experience with this stuff is I’ve like the look of it and I’ve tried it more than once, each time I’ve regretted it…

Edit : there is a sorta similar type of macro algae, I’m not sure if its even in the same genus but it has a round and cupped appearance and not nearly as aggressive… I’ll try and find a pic…I’ve even seen it here on R2R
….

 

[areefer01]

Thank you. I'm probably gonna readjust it to move it to the back while I put the money halimeda in the front (since it's calcified and grows slower)

You are welcome. Here is a picture of a handful I pulled out of the refugium and placed in my display. I tucked it under the rocks edge there on the left. The Gold Lined Rabbit above it and a Scopas tang not pictured will clear this handful in under 24 hours. Nothing of it will be left.

It isn't a great photo sorry but you can see the runners, or branches, and the grape bundle or bunch. The branches will send out small runners which attached to the surface area. With good nutrients the grapes are plump, full, and heavy.

 

[seanarino]

If I can gently persuade you to reconsider. My experience with this stuff is I’ve like the look of it and I’ve tried it more than once, each time I’ve regretted it…

Edit : there is a sorta similar type of macro algae, I’m not sure if its even in the same genus but it has a round and cupped appearance and not nearly as aggressive… I’ll try and find a pic…I’ve even seen it here on R2R
….

Technically, my 'grape' caulerpa doesn't actually appear to be the literal 'sea grape' type. I got mine from Reef Cleaners, which is actually C. cupressoides, var. lycopodium. Reef Cleaners sells it as Grape Caulerpa, but it is a completely different species called Cactus Tree Caulerpa. I had forgotten about that until I read back on the RC page.

 

[Doctorgori]

Technically, my 'grape' caulerpa doesn't actually appear to be the literal 'sea grape' type. I got mine from Reef Cleaners, which is actually C. cupressoides, var. lycopodium. Reef Cleaners sells it as Grape Caulerpa, but it is a completely different species called Cactus Tree Caulerpa. I had forgotten about that until I read back on the RC page.

ya know I have heard that before, hmmm ….
and If memory serves me right I “think” I got a piece of that in a “sampler” from Reef Cleaners, or that plant site that sells gorgonians … can’t recall exactly ….

 

[seanarino]

ya know I have heard that before, hmmm ….
and If memory serves me right I “think” I got a piece of that in a “sampler” from Reef Cleaners, or that plant site that sells gorgonians … can’t recall exactly ….

Wonder if its got the same care...