macroalgae

[christa]

Hello,
What is the secret to keeping Caulerpa (sp) algae alive? I bought some attached to live rock to put in my refugium and now it is almost all dead. All my parameters are right, I put light on the algae during night, off during day. Thanks for your help!

Christa

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

hi there christa, in order to keep your macro algae alive you have to leave the light on it 24/7 night and day! being that you stated your water parameters are within reason...hope this helps.

[christa]

Thanks! I had no idea they required it all the time. Do you think it will come back to life? There is some still alive.

Christa

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

yes it might bounce back for you just be patient and add some more if you have to, hope this helps...

[clevebrowns]

Hey Chao,
Why have I been reading on different sites and threads that your
lights over your macro algae should be on opposite of your display
lights? I have mine running just as christa.
Did you suggest she change because of lack of growth?
I just want a better understanding.
Thanks:)

[jimbo045]

I say boost your Calcium level up, most take in a lot of CA. James

[Samala]

I say boost your Calcium level up, most take in a lot of CA. James
Not Caulerpa species, they are not calcerous and do not have heavy demands for Ca+.

>Sarah

[bertoni]

Caulerpa doesn't require 24x7 lighting. What kind of lamp are you using for the refugium? Did the macro slowly die back, or is something eating it?

[christa]

I have a grow light on it (like you would buy at Home Depot.) There are no critteres eating it that I know of, just some small starfish that came on the rock. It has slowly died back. Thanks for all the help!
Christa

[bertoni]

Well, the grow light might not be working well enough for whatever species of Caulerpa that you have. I ended up using PC lighting over my refugium, then MH. Hard to say. Dosing iron helps in some cases.