Chaetomorpha vs Caulerpa

[Angelscrx]

Which macro is best? I have heard a lot of great things about Chaetomorpha and that it is better for refugiums than anything else. If you have any others you think might be better please let me know. I am getting ready to load up my refugium.
Thanks

The one you have.

In all seriousness, if you dont have any micro algae then I think its worth taking a serious look at this topic.

Both grow very rapidly. In my personal experience I think Grape C. is actually a bit faster growing but not by too much. The problems I see with Grape C. is that it has hold fast that will attach itself to anything it touches and can grow to. This can be a serious problem becuase while you may trim it back into check it will sprout right back up. There is really no good way to keep this from occuring at least from a feasability stand point. This is not a problem with Chaeto. The other major malfunction I see with Grape C. is that it is subject to "melt down" that is going sexual on you and releasing Gamets (sp?) This will have a very profound effect in a negative way on your tanks water quality when it does happen. You can run lights on it 24/7 and that signifagantly helps but is no guarentee. It has long been acepted too that Grape C. will release chemicals in your water that will inhibit the growth of your corals. This type of "Chemical warfare" is a way of insuring its survival and many corals act in a simular manor if they dont have sweeper tenticles. All of the Cualerpa(sp?) species have these short comings for the most part, some more so than others. The upside to this type macro-algae is that its comonly available.

Personally I prefer the Chaeto algae in a major way. It has very few draw backs unlike the Grape C. It does grow very fast. Its tangled birds nest growth form is very condusive to multiplying Mysis, and copods and protecting them from consumption even if you have critters in the refugium there by keeping the populations up.

There other options as well although you may not want to use them in your applications. Some are not as good at removing nutrients as others but none the less will do so to one extent or another. Mangroves and Eel Grass are just a couple that quickly come to mind. There are a few others.

I am currently using mangroves and Chaeto in my refugiums. I definitely like the results its giving me and have no complaints what so ever. I will be setting up one with Eel Grass in the somewhat near future.

HTH's

[Zack]

Hey
I would check this forum out http://www.coralforum.com/forum27

[Angelscrx]

I saw those other discussion but I really wanted a comparison between both and I have gotten it here. Thanks all.

[cich1]

Imaexpat2, could you post a pic of your mangrove refuge? i'm interested in different fuge designs, even though i don't have space for a nice one of my own right now

I'd love too but unfortunately my cameras software aint compatible with Windows XP and I cant find a patch for it. So I am sucking for the time being. I will do this in the near future though cuase it does look kinda cool and I did it on the cheap so its way affordable to do. I am holding out on the new cannons to drop in price enough, as I have a ton of lenese that will work with it much better for pic's. I have had a really tough time getting much in the way of crisp detailed pics with my existing camera.

[Angelscrx]

Hey Imaexpat2 did you use styrofoam to float them until the roots reached the substrate? What kind of lighting are you using on the refugium? Thanks

Nope, I just created a shelf in my refugium with Live rock and sand/mud creating a shallow area about 3 inches deep, and planted them. One whole side for the most part of my refugium is a shallow shelf like that, and this is where the water first enters my refugium. It then flows to a deeper area that is about 14-15 inches deep and this is where a majority of my live rock rubble and Chaeto is growing/residing.

When I start adding to the bigger refugium that I am setting up for a new tank though I am seriously considering that idea as it would look really cool having some of the roots visable instead of just planting them. I just didnt take the time to do that with my current set up on the 135. Thats one of those things that looking back in retrospect, I wish I would have done though. But I have learned a lot in the last year and a half....but like many things, you never really quit learning...

[cich1]

sounds cool, i'll just have to wait for the pics

[Angelscrx]

[quote="Imaexpat2"]Nope, I just created a shelf in my refugium with Live rock and sand/mud creating a shallow area about 3 inches deep, and planted them. One whole side for the most part of my refugium is a shallow shelf like that, and this is where the water first enters my refugium. It then flows to a deeper area that is about 14-15 inches deep and this is where a majority of my live rock rubble and Chaeto is growing/residing.

Actually this idea sounds pretty cool too! So is it three tiered, mangroves, SB, pump?

Just two. The level that the mangroves are on and then the Chaeto is at the one end of the remaining lower level and then at the very end behind a pile of live rock rubble on the same level is the return pump. The lower level does have about 4 inches of sand. The upper level is about a foot deep. Yeah I do have to run a filter sleave over the pump to keep bits and pieces of macro-algae out of the pump. Thats the only thing I dislike about it....