Why "No" to Macroalgae in Display Tank

[krazykat]

Question about the value of macroalgae in saltwater tanks. All they ever seem to be used for is nutrient export, instead of being an actual part of the saltwater display tank. I have some in my 29 FOWLR and I like the way they sway in the current and how my fish look against the "leaves". Is this merely a matter of preference? Do most reefers not have them in the DT only because they only want to see coral? Or is it because macroalgae are too "vigorous" (to use a terrestial gardening term) and it would a PITA to harvest it in the main tank? Anybody else out there who, like me, also likes macroalgae in their display tank?

[Varga]

If you have tangs, they will eat it all! also if you have Caulerpa, with your reef lighting schedule, it will go sexual....bad news. But I don't see why you cant have chaeto in your DT

[krazykat]

What does it mean to go "sexual?"

[Varga]

it does this thing.....they die over night and release all the nutrients they exported, back into your tank. Can cause a crash in a smaller system. This happened to me, I now avoid all caulerpa as do most people.

A Warning Sign of Impending Caulerpa Sporulation by Gene Schwartz - Reefkeeping.com

[krazykat]

Thanks for the link, Varga! I suppose I could keep the caulerpa and just keep an eye out for when those gametes start forming. How long does it take from when the caulerpa starts forming these strange nodules until it turns your fish tank milky? Overnight? Should be sufficient time to take action, I would think.....

[Varga]

I had the grape algae, it developed some black lines on each grape and the next day they were all dead! you can avoid this by keeping the lights on 24/7. if you get tired of it, get a tang and watch him go to town

good luck

[krazykat]

Hey, Varga, I just noticed that you are also from Seattle, WA! I was feeling kind of out of place since everybody seems to be from the East Coast (or so it seems). I've been wondering if anybody else from this forum was close by...good to know!

[Varga]

awesome! yup, everyone here is from the boring states on the other side

[lcstorc]

We have members from all over the world and certainly from the West Coast.
Another problem with macro in the display is that once it gets it's roots established it is extremely difficult to get rid of. Some types tangs eat but many types they do not. Some people do use it and as long as you realize the dangers there is no reason you cannot.

[Snelly40]

i have some halimeda in my DT and it looks nice, i just started a thread about it if u want to take a look at what it looks like and the benefits of it. Its under Plant/Algea ID on the main page right now

[johnmaloney]

"Caulerpa, with your reef lighting schedule, it will go sexual...."bad news - may go sexual. Caulerpa while it has risks, is very easy to keep. Just keep an eye on it., If it turns white or translucent, pull it out. If you prune it back every now and again it will be fine. You won't see gametes on caulerpa, halimeda shows it though. Caulerpa will just go white, than translucent then die. You can tell when it happens usually takes a few days.

If you are worried about it choose macros that have a lower tendency to go sexual. If you are worried about it becoming invasive, choose macros that grow upright, rather than creep along rocks.

[lcstorc]

I recently saw a tank with a large ball of cheato in the back and above the rocks. I would have never thought of it but the dark green was actually a nice background for the tank. The really cool part was that his tang actually ate it. Not enough to disturb the dense dark green but it was cool to watch.

[johnmaloney]

it looks good as carpeting too.

[BigJay]

I just ordered 5 or 6 different macros from John and everything except the chaeto is going in the DT. I personally think it looks more natural with macros and some macros rival the beauty of corals, like the pink galaxies.
Great way to fill in dead spots between corals and rocks. Also some are a great food source for just about everything in the tank except for purely carnivorous fish.
But its definetly a personal preference and one more thing to maintain.

[sambrinar]

I have chaeto in my DT, only because I dont have a sump. but my watchman gobie uses it as a perch, It doesn't look bad, but If I had my choice I would put it in the sump.

btw I am from AZ, so not everyone is from the East side... there are a few of us out here.