Macro in Display?

[big_vard]

Hey guys, a quick question here..

I don't currently have a 'fuge, but I am planning to get one evenetually. In the mean time, I was considering keeping some macro in my display as a means of nutrient export and keeping my nitrates in check.

I'm running a pretty simple 20 gallon setup with a skimmer and a powerhead and a PowerGlo flourescent bulb. I have crushed aragonite substrate with a growing pile of live rock for bio filtration.

Is this a good idea? Will my macro run rampant? What types of macro to get? Where to get my macro? (keep in mind I'm in canada).

Thanks in andvance for the input!

Steve

[Woodstock]

Caulerpa macro algae can get out of hand very quickly so I would not recommend it.

Several types of 'manageable' macro algae (which happend to be my favorite) are chaetomorpha, Ulva, and halimeda.

Chaeto - a dark green brillo pad-like algae that grows into a ball


Ulva - a dark-light green leafy macro algae


Halimeda tuna - a green hard calcium-base algae (this requires proper levels of ca/alk/mg)


I would allow any of the above macro alga to grow in my display tank. Note that tangs will probably eat them.

[InLimbo87]

I don't think he has to worry about any tangs eating his macroalgae in his 20 gallon. (Or at least I hope not). Do a search on here for "soap dish refugium". Several people have successfully used a plastic soap dish from walmart and some suction cups to keep some chaeto in check in their display.

[InLimbo87]

Also, as for finding it, if you can't find it locally check out the boards on here. There's one guy that sells it, and donates the proceeds to charity and several people have given it away for free (with shipping cost) also.

[big_vard]

You mean my tang will eat it??? damn!!!

LOL just kidding, I sure don't plan on having any tangs in my 20g!

Thanks for the tips so far, you guys rock!

Steve

[Woodstock]

LOL... that was just a note I wasn't implying that you had one. When cultivating the algae, you could give it to someone that does have a tang.

[rDr4g0n]

ive got some caulerpa growing in my display tank. its not a huge deal to keep it under control, just trim it once every week or 2. it does grow like crazy though.

[non-photosynt]

I got mine from superioreef, Ontario, shipped in warm weather. Few others - from LFS, when they have a small plants. Local reefers may have spare algae too. Try to find online suppliers within Canada, ask specifically for colorful macroalgae - they may have much more, than posted on website.

Like the look of planted tanks in this article: Beyond the Refugium: A Macroalgae Primer by Sarah Lardizabal - Reefkeeping.com

Beware, that even turbo snails may reduce amount of your algae (edible kinds), even if not supposed to.

I'm particularly fond of Dragon tongue algae:

Blue ball or purple bush algae, ochtodes:

These, no ID:

Also red fern kelp, feather caulerpa (won't grow in my tanks, as well as dragon tongue and ulva), sea lettuce - ulva, tang heavens - gracillaria, botrycladia.
Chaeto is harmless, good-looking, but not attached, commonly used in refugiums.

[Woodstock]

Thanks for the info & pics non-photosynt

[rDr4g0n]

non-photo, those are some cool macros!

[jg2269jg]

Hey were did u get all those cool macros. They are incredible. I always thought that halimeda didnt do nutrient export and it lowered your calcium levels tremendously

[non-photosynt]

From online frag seller, tried to find bright colored corals, and had seen the pieces of colorful, algae between them, asked and was shown a lot more. The few small pieces - from LFS.
Of course, in US it's easier to find, even major stores may have it, or through classifieds on forums.

[reefnut]

does Chaetomorpha sink or float? I would like to get some for my tangs to eat, and I want to put it next to my over flow in the back of the tank, but i dont want it to clog my over flow,so i would need it to sink.

thks Rob

[BigAl07]

Mine is in my HOB fuge and it's sunken down to the level of my LR... so sink is My vote.

Allen