Decorative Macro Algae?

[smiller5438]

Hey Folks

I have two tanks that for various reasons can't use a sump, so no Cheato or Skimmer. They are years old and well established (parameters are excellent), but I'd like to add some Macro Algae as a natural nutrient export and add to the diversity in the tank. I do have Tangs and Rabbit Fish etc. so I would need some display algae that is either fast growing, and or not very palatable to herbivores. I looked into Algae Barn, but they are completely out of stock and information on their site is limited. I'd really love to buy local if that's possible ( I live in Ayer, MA). Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Does anyone have some display Algae that I can purchase? Are there any other considerations like lighting, nutrients, flow etc. that I need to consider? Thank you so much !

Shawn

 

[DylanCameron]

Your best bet would be Halimeda sp. I’ve never kept it personally, but from what I’ve read it’s pretty fast growing and due to the fact that it’s a calcifying algae it is not very palatable to herbivores.

Some things to keep in mind: you’ll want to make sure your lighting is full spectrum for at least a portion of the day for the algae to thrive (though it doesn’t seem to be very demanding of light), and watch your Ca/Kh as it will suck up some of those elements. You can read more about it here: https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/nftt/index.php

Not sure if anyone is growing this locally, but it seems to be in stock on Reef Cleaners: https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/plants-macroalgae/halimeda-monile-incrassata-detail

 

[thrillreefer]

Rabbit fish will probably eat most algae faster than it can grow. Gracilaria has great color but they’ll love to eat it. Caulerpa might be your best bet for a typical algae? I’ve been growing C. prolifera and it grows fast but stays in the sand, so not very invasive. Looks cool, like seagrass!

I’ve also been growing the exact Halimeda from reef cleaners that @DylanCameron posted. It’s weird and spreads by runners under the sand but pretty slowly. I doubt rabbitfish would eat it though. A bunch of my sand over in that corner is now Halimeda skeletons!

I’m not that close to Ayer but if you’re ever out near Boston I could sell/trade you some of what I have.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

You could check out Indo Pacific Sea Farms to see what they offer as well.

 

[smiller5438]

Your best bet would be Halimeda sp. I’ve never kept it personally, but from what I’ve read it’s pretty fast growing and due to the fact that it’s a calcifying algae it is not very palatable to herbivores.

Some things to keep in mind: you’ll want to make sure your lighting is full spectrum for at least a portion of the day for the algae to thrive (though it doesn’t seem to be very demanding of light), and watch your Ca/Kh as it will suck up some of those elements. You can read more about it here: https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/nftt/index.php

Not sure if anyone is growing this locally, but it seems to be in stock on Reef Cleaners: https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/plants-macroalgae/halimeda-monile-incrassata-detail

Thank you !!!

 

[smiller5438]

Rabbit fish will probably eat most algae faster than it can grow. Gracilaria has great color but they’ll love to eat it. Caulerpa might be your best bet for a typical algae? I’ve been growing C. prolifera and it grows fast but stays in the sand, so not very invasive. Looks cool, like seagrass!

I’ve also been growing the exact Halimeda from reef cleaners that @DylanCameron posted. It’s weird and spreads by runners under the sand but pretty slowly. I doubt rabbitfish would eat it though. A bunch of my sand over in that corner is now Halimeda skeletons!

I’m not that close to Ayer but if you’re ever out near Boston I could sell/trade you some of what I have.

Awesome ! Thanks for the info...

 

[smiller5438]

You could check out Indo Pacific Sea Farms to see what they offer as well.

I'll check it out ! Thanks