What type of macroalgae exports the most nutrients?

[gramma royale]

I'm planning on getting a bunch of caulerpa for my 18 gal refugium and I was wondering what type exports the most nutrients. I just returned from my LFS where I popped the question to the reef guy. He showed me a red grape caulerpa. It looks almost exactly like the regular green caulerpa, except it'd red. He said that these do as good a job of exporting nutrients as any green caulerpa. I haven't bought it yet, mainly because it's $39.99 for about 7 strands on a piece of LR. What do you guys think? Any opinions?

[David]

I may be wrong of course but I would think that whatever macro gows the fastest is consuming the most nutrients, and if you remove it, thus exports the most. I have several macro's but buy far the fastest two growers are C. racemosa and C. taxifolia. The latter is now illegal in San Diego and is a pain in the butt in aquaria so I recommend C. racemosa. As I believe it will survive virtualy anything I would be happy to send you some via overnight mail if you'd like. Just remember me when you have something to trade! BTW, I Have absolutely no unwanted algae in any of my tanks and believe this is entirely due to the macro's out competing for whatever nutrients are available. I really believe in this stuff! Let me know if you want some.

[chromis]

I also have good experience with c. racemosa. Dont pay that much for it though, there are plenty of people who will give it to you for free...