shaving brush plant (Penicillus sp.)

[JmLee]

Does any one have any clue if this plants require alot of light?. Ive read up and all it says is it needs to be placed in a well illuminated area, and planted in the substrate. I have a 29 gallon tank with a 30" fixture that has 1 x 18watt 10,000k and 1 x 18watt true atinic blue 03.

[graveyardworm]

From what I've read they do require alot of light.

[JmLee]

thanks graveyardworm!. Can u guys suggest any other macro algae? this is for my mantis tank. Thanks again!.

[Samala]

Halimeda sp. or cactus / money macro is also likely to do well in a display environment and not become invasive. I'm not sure if a mantis would tear it apart or not though. ;)

>Sarah

[jaymz101]

they do require a lot of light and lots of calcium just like some corals since they build a calcareous skeleton. The same goes for Hailmaeda spp. and Acetabularia spp.

If you dont have the intense light needed, I have always liked Caulerpa, Halophila, and Thalassia....althoough some will complain about when they go "sexual"

[Samala]

Halophila and Thalassia do not go sexual. They simply melt away. They also require pretty specific tank setups to sustain them long term. You may be able to sneak in Halophila to a typical tank, but not Thalassia, not IME.

>Sarah

[HowardW]

I have 3 shaving brush plants in a 55 with 4 X 65 PC lighting and the plants are growing like crazy. One plant now has 2 new little new shoots sprouting up next to it, and they are now about 2" tall. I've also noticed they really take hold in the substrate and develop a strong root system.

[3D-Reef]

I have had the shaving brush go sexual on Me before.Just like Caulerpa does.If they are on the same strand,they all go at the same time.:(
Clay

[JmLee]

actually i have halides, but they where off of my reef tank and i dont use them anymore. I was thinking about using just 1 of the 250watts but on a 29 gallon mantis tank it probaly would just be over kill since im only keeping a few soft corals.

[ziggy222]

i have a 29gal tank with 130watts of pc. i put 2 shaving brushes in a cpl months ago an now theres 4.that should give you an idea about good light for them.

[ziggy222]

another just sprouted so now theres 5.i hope they keep sprouting and not just die off like the lfs told me they would.