Which Macro Algae To Use?

[OakRaid]

Hi .. My tank has been running for about 3 weeks now, and is a closed loop system, Am thinking about adding some type of macro algae to the tank, to help with water quality, and was hoping for for some opinions as to which plant would work the best.
Would like it to be good at nutrient removal, look good, maybe be a good food source for the fish, and also not be something that will overrun my tank. So hopefuly something I will be able to control with prunings.
Any sujestions??? And if so .. maybe sujest where I could abtain the plant? Or maybe someone has extra they would be willing to send to me? Would be more than happy to pay shipping and any reasonable fee for the plants.

THANKS!!

 

[mr_X]

hmm..halimeda will not overrun your tank, but i'm not sure about any others, and depending ont he size of your tank, i don't know if you could fit enough macros to make a difference without ruining the look.
i would re-think the macros in the display idea. you might get a hang on the back refugium for that purpose.

 

[Snowboarda42]

Chaeto is great. It grows fast, but its very easy to cut back.

Helps absorb Orthophosphates and Nitrates. Also won't cloud your tank b/c its non-sexual IIRC...

 

[IslandCrow]

If you absolutely insist on putting it in the tank, I'd suggest either Chaeto or Gracillaria. Both are pretty efficient at nutrient export, don't release any toxins. Most importantly, though, they don't attach themselves to anything, so removing them is fairly easy. I'd certainly do a separate refugium, though. Gracillaria and Chaeto are free-floating macro algaes, and although Gracillaria is somewhat pleasant to look at, I think both of them will look out of place in your main display. Other than coraline algae, any other algae that both looks good in a main tank and is effective in nutrient export tends to take over the tank and/or potentially pollute the water.

 

[shavo]

why would you guys want cheato in your display?

just curious,

 

[Anonymous]

Chaetomorpha refers to a genus, I believe? It does have some sexy species, IMO but all are slow growers and not too showy...

 

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on which color you are looking for? (Sorry about the blur, the glass was just a bit dirty)

 

[shavo]

hey that does look cool actually, what are the yellow polyps? looks like dandi lions!

 

[IslandCrow]

I don't think the yellow is an algae. Kind of looks like a sun coral, actually (maybe not). I didn't realize chaeto came in different colors. I don't think the green is all that attractive. I do have a macro algae tank set up, but in my main tank, I stick with corals. Anyway, it definitely looks like Aerosmith has some cool stuff going on in there. A little off the subject, do you have a source for your different macroalgaes? I'm always looking for new stuff, especially some different colors.

 

[Anonymous]

It is not an algae, they are my favorite coral: Sunpolyps. They come in yellow, orange, black and I've heard green? I've only tried the former.

I don't think Cheatomorpha spp come in other than green. I'm sorry the picture and caption is misleading. There are guite a few genus in that pic.

I have only found cool macros as hitchhikers on corals. I have actually bought corals to get the alga! I wish we could talk the importers into bringing some cool ones in? There are like 10000 species but we only get offered Caulerpa and Chaeto?

 

[mr_X]

i am STILL looking for attractive macros. that red macro i had that you(aerosmith) called "tang candy" has been completely erradicated by the dominant alga (chaeto and caulerpa). i have seen some red bubble algae (the stuff that looks like red bubble caulerpa)at a local store and they wanted 50 bucks for a small bunch! too heavy for my taste!

 

[Anonymous]

Really? That's inhumane. Maybe we should bug the guys on the Industry forum to get us some more choices?

 

[Anonymous]

There's plenty of options out there for LFS's to buy, it's not the wholesalers or exporters in this case

FWIW, I have never seen anything but green cheatomorpha and I have seen far more then most. I'll ask our Phycologist this week.

FWIW, www.marineflora.com

http://www.marineflora.com/index.php?ma ... ex&cPath=2

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.ipsf.com/index.html

http://www.inlandaquatics.com/prod/tr_algae.html

Few others to check out as well

 

[luisgo]

I have helimeda in my main display. Very easy to control. Excelent to remove nutrients from the water. You need to add calcium to maintain the correct levels.


By luisgon


By luisgon