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Caulerpa Eaters?

C

calaxa

I didn't thoroughly inspect all the LR going into my 58 and with the MH lights, I got myself a massive caulerpa problem. I've tweezed quite a lot off but can't get all. Don't feel like breaking it down so looking for biological control. I know my yellow tang eats this stuff and I thought about moving him to solve this problem. Prefer another solution. Any suggestions?
 
C

calaxa

Bill,

Tried that one. Have one in QT and offered him a big ball of caulerpa. He will never touch the stuff. Any other thoughts? Was thinking a foxface but worried how reef safe they actually are.
 
B

Bryan

I've never had a problem with a fox face in a reef and I've had two different ones for more than a year each.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Caulerpa feeds on the ammonia part of the cycle, so in order to irradicate it you'd have to prevent the creation of ammonia or introduce something else that consumes the ammonia that gets created faster than the caulerpa can. I've recently researched this very topic and came to the conclusion that other than a rabbitfish (I like the orange spot one) I would try vodka. I'd try Vodka first, fish second.
 
C

calaxa

Phyl,

You sure it's an ammonia sink? I would have imagined it was a nitrate sink. I think I will look into getting a very small tang (either a purple or a powder blue) that will eat the caulerpa and then transfer him out when the job is done. Do lettuce slugs eat caulerpa? Might go for one of those but they seem to get stuck in overflows and powerheads a lot I hear.

Bill,

My yellow is in my main display. This is on another system. I have no caulerpa in there at all. He's already too large to be in my 58 and that's why I don't want to move him.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I've read that that is why it out-competes the chaeto for nutrients/grows faster. It will also take up PO4 & NO3, but to be able to starve it you would have to have something that removes the ammonia before it can.
 
C

calaxa

I think I have a solution but will hold off until I can verify my results (not ready to be flamed for it yet). Thanks for suggestions. Will update once I see it in action. I gotta tell you though, my 58G water params are immaculate. I just hope the caulerpa doesn't go sexual on me.
 
C

calaxa

OK,

I've come to a decision on this one so flames/comments/snide remarks are now welcomed. I've decided to try a molly as my caulerpa eater. Thinking of getting 2 lyre-tailed black mollies, acclimate to reef salinity and if they breed, free fish food. Suggestions/opinions?
 
J

JerseyWendy

Sounds like an interesting idea, IMO. I have no idea whether mollies eat it or not, but I do know they can successfully be kept in saltwater tanks. :)

Can't wait to see whether it'll work. And I love the free fish food idea, too.
 
C

calaxa

Supposedly they love marine caulerpa. That's why it dawned on me they would be perfect. Their bioload is miniscule. They costs very little. They breed easily. Some of them actually look nice. Their peaceful tankmates. Any diseases they carry would be dead going from FW to SW.

However, with my luck, they won't like the caulerpa I have. I know I have grape and maybe feather as well.
 
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