Grape Caulerpa is evil...

Denis · #1 03-17-2006, 04:50 PM

I have read on RC that this is a SPS poison, get rid of it. The only way is to get predator or cook the rocks.

untamed · #2 03-17-2006, 09:20 PM

[quote]I have read on RC that this is a SPS poison, get rid of it. The only way is to get predator or cook the rocks[\quote]

No..I can't support that statement. I have a lot of grape caulerpa that grows right in my main display tank and the SPS have no problem with it at all. In fact, if it starts to grow near the SPS they are quite efficient at defending their turf by killing the caulerpa the moment it touches the coral.

The statement probably comes from the habit that caulerpa has of dying off 'enmasse' releasing all those tied up nutrients in the water all at once. I would agree that doesn't sound good, but I've experienced it many, many times and my tank has never shown any signs of distress as a result. My system is also quite small, so if there was seriously poisonous my tank would certainly show it.

Unfortunately, the caulerpa never COMPLETELY dies off in these events. Some pieces of it always survive. I would recommend that you wait for one of these events, then attempt to remove the survivors. It will be a smaller job.

Murminator · #3 03-17-2006, 10:05 PM

I have SPS totally covered in it

2 birdnests, cactus coral and portites(not sure if this is SPS) that don't show any signs of killing each other.

Denis · #4 03-17-2006, 11:00 PM

.....Hmm, just as I thought I knew what caused my troubles with SPS few years back.
Luckily everything is good now.
Thanks guys.

Beverly · #5 03-18-2006, 02:22 AM

In our very first tank, a 75g, many years ago, I made the mistake of putting some "lovely" grape caulerpa in various places in our mixed reef. Under MHs, the stuff grew like wild fire

Each week, I would pull out handfuls of the stuff, only for it to grow right back! One day, I decided I'd had enough. I pulled out each rock, one by one. With tweezers, a strong light to make sure I was getting it all, and a pail for dipping the rock in to keep it moist, I carefully picked the caulerpa out by the roots, some of which were deep in crevices. It took me two full days of going over each rock to get it all out. The extreme effort was worth it. It never grew back.

Good luck with yours

StirCrazy · #6 03-18-2006, 03:00 AM

a little food for thought, Grape calurpa is the most toxic form of calurpa there is.. something like 22X more toxic than the next.. when I had a problem with it about 3 years ago, I would lose a fish or some snails every time I did a harvest.. after 3 or 4 fish I put two and two together did some research and bobs you uncle.. the toxins released by the grape calurpa was killing weaker fish.

try remove it from the roots with out breaking the stems a lot.

the only way I got rid of it was by raising my tank temp to 104 for 23 hours... needless to say it got rid of everything else also.. like I have been saying for about two years now...

"friends don't let friends have calurpa"

Steve

psychedelic · #7 04-18-2006, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

a little food for thought, Grape calurpa is the most toxic form of calurpa there is.. something like 22X more toxic than the next.. when I had a problem with it about 3 years ago, I would lose a fish or some snails every time I did a harvest.. after 3 or 4 fish I put two and two together did some research and bobs you uncle.. the toxins released by the grape calurpa was killing weaker fish.

try remove it from the roots with out breaking the stems a lot.

the only way I got rid of it was by raising my tank temp to 104 for 23 hours... needless to say it got rid of everything else also.. like I have been saying for about two years now...

"friends don't let friends have calurpa"

Steve

How did you raise your temp that high for 23 hours? hmm...that is kinda tempting...either that...or boiling em...or hmm...drying em for 10 days. Heard that kills caulerpa...but kills everything else too. Hmmm... tough decision.

Anyone with a grazer in a big tank want some free rocks?

b_james · #8 03-19-2006, 02:25 AM

I temporarly added a clump to my display tank untill I get my fuge up and running. Can anyone tell me why some of the branches are turning a translucent white color. It seems to be growing very well, but I've notice some of the branches turning color.

StirCrazy · #9 03-19-2006, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b_james

I temporarly added a clump to my display tank untill I get my fuge up and running. Can anyone tell me why some of the branches are turning a translucent white color. It seems to be growing very well, but I've notice some of the branches turning color.

it is going sexual.. soon you will have lots all over your tank.

Steve

psychedelic · #10 04-18-2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b_james

I temporarly added a clump to my display tank untill I get my fuge up and running. Can anyone tell me why some of the branches are turning a translucent white color. It seems to be growing very well, but I've notice some of the branches turning color.

That stuff is evil. I did exactly the same thing... I was waiting to save up for a fuge and the caulerpa took over my tank eventually....