My 5 gallon...

[drummerman2003]

well, its got 2 10 watt 50/50 bulbs on it... went out today and got me 4 hermit crabs (very small... probably 2 will go to the 20 gallon tonight), 1 very small green mushroom, and one medium-small purple mushroom. also the guy threw in some green stuff... im not too sure what it is... probably seeweed or somethin

[drummerman2003]

is there anyway to cut this or somethin... i just want a small piece of it in the 5 gallon, and the rest in the 20...

[drummerman2003]

forgot to add pic... this is what he gave me for free as well

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/394000-394999/394496_319_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/394000-394999/394496_321_full.jpg

[Zaphod]

looks like capulara a kind of macro algea kind of contravercial some think it can do more harm than good. what do you have filtration wise? have you cycled the tank?

[drummerman2003]

yup tanks cycled... the filter is temporary lol im waitin to get my aqauclear 300... proably lol right now its some whisper filter that came with the tank

[Scuba Dog]

drummerman2003
It's a macro algae, I think a grape type, It will grow and it feeds on nutrients in the water. and it grows prune it back and discard the trimmings or addit to another tank or sell it or feed it to algae eating fish....The macro algae is great for helping keep your nitrates and phosphates down, but inorder to do nutrient export ya have to trim back the algae...

[Scuba Dog]

drummerman2003

Friday I will be on my way back from Little Rock, if you like I can come through Hot Springs on my way back and drop off some shrooms for you if ya like..

[drummerman2003]

I would like it, although i will be at work until 6 pm. also, how should i go about trimming them? just scissors and snip or what?

[Scuba Dog]

You mean the macro algae...scissors or just snap with your finger tips....I have three different types . caulpra, thats easy to trim its just basicly a weed, and some halameda its called the money plant its hard and shaped like coins , and I have some chatmorph.....but we will see, Ill try to head that way friday. and time it so you will be off work, I am mostly familar with central ave...ole Hiway 7 will be the route ill take home.....

[saltaddict]

The pic is of grape calurpa(calurpa racemosa), You can easily trim it back by just breaking it or with scissors if you prefer. As it grows you will have to keep trimming it back regularly or it will go sexual. If you notice parts of it starting to turn clearish then trim it back. HTH Rob

[drummerman2003]

alrighty will do... well i will be workin at the scuba shop friday (its on albert pike... i get off at 6, and can meet you anywhere you would like. my other job is on central, but i wont be at that one friday. my g/f's apartment (the one with the 20 gallon reef) is off hi. 7 also... across from the walmart behind mr. speedy car wash. just name a time and place and i can try to meet up! if its out of the way, dont worry about.

oh and about trimming, i was talkin about the grape calurpa.

[Scuba Dog]

drummerman2003

Col it wont be a problem, after dogofwar and I set up on a time ill let ya know...

[thedogofwar]

yup looks like Grape Caulerpa (Caulerpa racemosa)

You might want to remove it. It can become a nuisence. It will snake it's way into the rocks and you will never be rid of it. No matter what you do it will come back.

high probability that it could go sexual, it won't take much in a 5 gallon and you could wake up to a lifeless tank

the best way to trim is to trim between the stalks and not cut them. Cut the main one that chains them together. It can release the spores if not done this way. This normally isn't a prob but once again, in a 5g it could be a huge problem.

[drummerman2003]

so should i just stick the whole thing in the 20 gallon, or just throw it in the trash lol

[Scuba Dog]

drummerman2003

There good for nutrient transport...just have to constantly prune them back, but they will help keep the hair algae in check as well as your nitrates...thats the plus side...Brandon alredy wrote aboutthe negitave side of certain types of macro algaes..

[thedogofwar]

it's a tough decision really. I chose to let it grow in my tank and now I regret it. It is a good nutrient export, but to be honest I would trash it until you're ready to add a fuge, then you can let it grow rampid, to a point but then still it will need pruned.

another note is that it's not going to be as efficient in the display, because the current in the display, should be more than what it wants for 100% efficiency.

BTW, after looking closer, I'm not sure its grape at all. kinda hard to tell in the pics but I'll bet it's not. looks more trumpet shaped. Theres a pic in the new coral mag of what I think it is, too bad they didn't name the pic.

oh and if you do trash it, don't worry I can hook you up with all kinds of macro if/when you start a fuge. I now have 6 different types.

[DLeAnnM]

Are you planning on turning your aquaclear into a fuge or use media in it? Many people have turned aquaclears into fuges, then you could put that calupera in the fuge with some sand and rock rubble. To make it into a refugium you have to add a baffle.

[drummerman2003]

yea i was gonna make it a fuge... i need to order that. thanks for reminding me

[drummerman2003]

welp i went ahead and ordered it... hopefully be here mid to late next week. i clipped off most of it, just left a little in the 5 gallon for now, put some in the 20, but not all.

[drummerman2003]

you guys see in that first pic... on the rock is a small mushroom... i guess hes enjoying the 20 watts of 50/50 lights, cause hes already doubled in size :) just thought ide let ya know

[Scuba Dog]

drummerman2003

Mushrooms go fast ...mine are starting to take over...

[drummerman2003]

yea once they outgrow the tank, ill probably start giving them to whoever wants em