[Pomme]

caulerpa in the sump?

is this stuff good, as i here it keeps the o2 levels at a constant level throught day and night,
and that it also gives a food source for the fish and corals?

als do you have to have a light over it, does it need to be on for 24 hourse a day?

and also what else do you need for it to grow?

please tell me aslo what you guys think of it,

and would it work on my 100 gal reef tank with a sump, i would put it in the sump, where i have got a compartment free thats about 15 cm by 30cm by 30cm, but could make it twice that size if need be?

thanx
andrew

[Pomme]

and can it be used in conjuction with a skimmer?

and is the best substrate for it miracle mud?

and where can you buy caulerpa?

[the_blue_tuna]

Yes , caulerpa in the sump works well. You can use it as food for certain fish and also for nutrient export.You would still use your skimmer. I would not light the sump 24/7 , but instead go with a reverse lighting period . You would light the sump when the main tank is dark .You can get a small piece or two and rubber band it to a small piece of rock, just something to anchor it . The caulerpa will get its nutrient from the water column. Just make sure it gets a lot of water flow as this will allow the caulerpa to do its best. When the compartment starts to get full just pull a bunch of it out and give it to a friend.

[Python73]

Caulerpa will do what you want. But there are better choices. Caulerpa has its plusses:

- very fast growing
- great nutrient uptake
- will grow under any light

But it has even more drawbacks:

- will go sexual and dump its chloroplasts into the tank, fouling water
- engages in chemical warfare with algaes and possibly corals
- is a VERY bad choice of food for herbivorous fish, on the reef they don't touch it
- is single celled, so when you cut or break it you release compounds back into the water

All in all, unless this was the only macro you could get, you would be better served by a non-caulerpa like chaetomorpha, aka spaghetti algae. All of the benefits of caulerpa with none of the drawbacks.

HTH.

S !

[Pomme]

yeah i will g to the lfs ans see what they can get me?

also when do i put it in the sump, halfway hrought the tank cycle? or at the start? or when the cycle has finished?

[Poseidon]

To be really honest I don't know that it matters when you put it in. I added mine well after the tank had cycled, we know that is safe so I guess I'd wait till then...

Mike

[Pomme]

yeah i think i should do that.