Macro Algaes in the display

[SnowManSnow]

ok ..

If I were to want some macros in the display which ones would you guys recommend? Are there macros that won't "take over" as long as I keep a handle on them? It would help a little with nutrient export as well..


Thanks!
b

 

[trido]

If you have the time to read through Guys' nano build off thread it has a few different types in there. He hasnt been posting much lately so I dont know if he'll reply.

 

[Anonymous]

Guy posted today...he's around.

Look for feather caulerpa. It is pretty and it doesn't take over as much as other macros might.


You know..in a tank as large as yours, you might want to stay away from macros and just put in a decent sand bed. It is hard to keep macros under control in a large tank if they decide they want to spread all over.

 

[SnowManSnow]

just a fleeting idea.

doubt it will materialize into anything.

b

 

[Anonymous]

just a fleeting idea.

doubt it will materialize into anything.

b

I've done it. It isn't a totally bad idea.

 

[trido]

I think it can really enhance a display if done right.

 

[Samala]

Actually the calcerous macros - like Halimeda (cactus algae, or money plant) do really well in reef style setups and do NOT take over. They can sporulate (go sexual) but the potential is very very remote and the warning signs are obvious.. small green balls will form on the algae before it happens. Most people keep Halimeda and have it grow right out of the tank. You might also try Udotea or Penicillus if you have a sandbed.

Red macroalgaes - Halymenia, Gracilaria, Botryocladia - are also beautiful and can serve as accents in a display and wont take over, and I've not heard of them sporulating ever. Palatable to some fish, keep an eye on your herbivores.

I hope that helps some!
>Sarah

 

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who has a SPS dominate tank with a calcium reactor and his halimeda sp. grows much faster then he would like. He says he spends more time pulling out the macro than anything else and he wishes he wouldn't have introduced it.

I liked the look, so I tried it anyway and I am finding he is right. It is frustrating when it grows close to a prized specimen and the tissue begins to recede.

 

[saltank]

FWIW

I put macro in my 46gal about 1 year ago for nutrient export. I became tired of hand-harvesting it so I put a yellow tang in which keeps it in check.

My wife actually really likes the look of the macro with the rock and corals and I don't have to feed the tang at all, there is enough that it lives on the macro alone and one tang has not been able to diminish the growth too much.

Also, chaeto is much easier than caulerpa and grows quite well

Just my 2 cents

 

[brandonberry]

I would not recommend any type of caulerpa in the display, especially the prolifera species. I once added some to my display, and have never been able to completely get rid of it. My tang now helps to keep it controlled, but once it digs its roots into the rock, it will not go away. You can pick every bit of it off, and the tiny roots that remain will send up new sprouts. I do have halimeda and really like it. It is easily attached to rock with super glue and doesn't run across the tank like caulerpa. Also, many of the sand dwelling calcareous species of macroalgaes from Florida are cool. Can't remember the scientific names, off hand, but the shaving brush and mermaids fans are common names.

 

[Anonymous]

I wrote an article on keeping macros in the display in my blog if you are interested.