C. taxifolia, going white

[DennisRB]

I am trying to control diatoms in my tank, and have set up a fuge with 100 of PC lighting and added some C. taxifolia. It seems to be getting covered with diatoms and the tips are going white/clear (looks like its dieing).

My P04 and N03 show undetectable on salifert kits, but diatoms and hair algae and minor cyano persist.

How can I grow this stuff right in the refugium and get the bad stuff out of the display?

[DennisRB]

Hang on. Its seems to be growing. Is it normal to have white tips? And is C. taxifolia the type of algae that "goes sexual" potentially cuasing a tank wipe out?

[luvabunny]

White on the tips suggests growth. Yes, taxifolia will "go sexual."
As far as wiping out a tank, I've never had it do that to mine, however, I did have a massive die out immediately after adding calcium a few days ago. The other caulerpa is fine, but the taxifolia all bit the dust and clouded the tank. I pulled it out and let the filters do their work and have seen no harm done.
BTW, taxifolia is also a type of macro which is illegal in many states.
As far as growing it in the fuge and getting the bad stuff out of the display, I have used chemi-clean with no ill effects to the macro. It might work for you.

[DennisRB]

The C.tax is seems to be growing like a champion. I hope it solves my other algae probs.