Is this a good or bad plant?

[WunderWagen]

Hi everyone, been playing with a 54 gallon corner tank for the past 8 months and recently had a new plant seeming to take over some of my corals. Not sure if it is a good plant or if it is bad... and if bad how do I get rid of it? Seems to be growing pretty fast and only recently popped up.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c382/WunderWagen/54%20Gallon%20Corner%20Reef%20Tank/ReefTank_zpscf5cb459.jpg

David

[ericsch333]

Can't really tell but maybe bubble alge can you get a better picture with more white

[WunderWagen]

Shot, was afraid of that... took it with my iPhone. It is not bubble, more of a leaf style. I will try to get a better pic tonight.

[aujosh84]

Is this it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulerpa_racemosa

Then no.

[WunderWagen]

Yep, looks like Caulerpa racemosa based on the pic in that link. So even though it is growing over my coral it is okay for the tank? Just need to keep it trimmed? ;)

... and here I thought just the lawn on my backyard would be the only mowing I would have to do! LOL

David

[Uncle Salty 05]

Hard to tell from the pic, but looks like taxifolia to me.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Caulerpa+taxifolia&qpvt=Caulerpa+taxifolia&FORM=IGRE

I would remove it and put it in your reugium if you have one.
It will take over your tank QUICK.

[WunderWagen]

Definately does not look like Taxifolia... but when looking at pictures of Racemosa it only matches some of the pictures shown. It is basically like a small cup similar to the pic below.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Types+of+Caulerpa&Form=IQFRDR#view=detail&id=3A6A9521788A335F10A0E7E7315CF8E127A55733&selectedIndex=6

I am not using a refugium so I guess I will just keep it in check by manually trimming it. As long as it does not cause any harm (other than growing like a weed!) then I will be okay with it.

David

[Uncle Salty 05]

My bad.
I mistook the coral for the algae.
I see it now.:facepalm:

[julie180]

I would get it all out unless you have something that will eat it. The problem is it attaches "roots" into the rock and total eradication is difficult.

[OoNickoC]

That will promptly go into plague mode. I've had to remove rockwork and pick off the hold fasts with tools and toss alot of good live rock into a sump to get that type out of display tanks with a nutrient load.