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Caulerpa
is the most common algae found in aquariums.
* Marine aquariums almost demand a variety of marine algae.
* Algae offers favorable surroundings for, not only fish, but also
microfauna, which helps metabolize food particles. This enhances
the food chain: for example, the mandarin fishes will live off these
microfauna.
* Caulerpa represents an important food source for many fish.
* Caulerpa releases organic acids and necessary substances such
as vitamins and amino acids.
* Perhaps the most important role of Caulerpa in the aquarium is
to assimilate nitrogenous compounds and phosphates. Ammonia and
nitrate are the most common sources of nitrogen for plants. This
is the basis of the algae scrubber. The algae uses these nutrients
from the water to anobolize proteins, and the result is cleaner
water.
* In many large modern public aquariums Caulerpa is raised because
of it's healing qualities. Sick fish often recover quickly when
Caulerpa is in the aquarium.
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HERE'S
WHY IT WORKS:
Various marine algaes contain medicinal substances. Several have
significant antibiotic effects against fungi and disease causing
microorganisims from the marine substrate. These antibiotic substances
are broad spectrum and particularly useful against microbes that
are resistant to "classic" antibiotics. Sick animals introduced
to aquariums with dense algae growth are sometimes spontaneously
healed, even after standard treatments failed. Based on the antibiotic
properties, the advantages of a lush stand of Caulerpa in a marine
aquarium seem to outweigh the disadvantages!
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