Caulerpa information please?

[SoylentGrundy]

Can anyone give me some usefull information on Caulerpa and macroalgae? I've always liked a planted tank (something from my freshwater background i suppose), but this is my first [acronym:68919ce816="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:68919ce816] aquarium (30 gallon) and i was wanting some caulerpa. The only info i can find about it is that it is very prolific.
Thanks

[MR294]

I would avoid adding caulerpa to the main tank. It is quite invasive and can quickly take over a tank, growing around and over anything and everything. I've been trying to rid myself of it for the last year, and it's been extremely frustrating. In addition to discoloring the water, Caulerpa also produces alleopathic agents which can interfere with coral growth/health. If you would like to add macros to the display tank, personally I would stick with Halimedia, Chaetomorpha, etc.

[Hara]

There are slower growing "Brush type" and more ornamental macro algaes..the shaving brush, mermaid cup, fan,....just do a search for macroalgae and you will find different types that would be suitable, attractive and non invasive.

[SoylentGrundy]

Thanx for the input about avoiding caulerpa! Those other macros that you mentioned such as: halimedia, chaetomorpha, mermaid cup, and shaving brush...are those fairly easy to obtain? I'm afraid i've never seen those before...(like i said, i'm new to [acronym:a9a6ca5125="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:a9a6ca5125])

[mojoreef]

You have great info from MR294 and Hara, they are dead on. Its been a plague of mine for years. Another option that was not mentioned that I thik looks real good in a main display is Sea Grass, Thier are a ton of differring types and they all look good. They dont have holdfasts and do not grow at such a rapid pace.


Mike