Macroalgae

saltyguy · 12/08/2019, 11:27 AM

Hello! It has been a long time since I have been on here. I set up a new aquarium and it has been Lance Armstrong (cycling) for 5 weeks now. I still need to do the first water change but I am not putting fish in till the new year. I am getting ideas of how I want to decorate the display tank. I was thinking of doing a Macroalgae display. Has anyone done this or have you known someone who has? I was thinking of mangroves but that’s really all I know of except chaeto. I don’t want chaeto in the display. I also want Tang fish so is there an algae that they don’t eat? Oh! I have a 125 gallon aquarium with a 55 gallon sump.

Michael Hoaster · 12/08/2019, 04:48 PM

Sounds like a great tank idea! I'm doing something similar. My thread "Weeds" could be helpful: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2678002

Most tangs will eat most macros. The Ctenochaetus tangs, like Cole and Tomini have mouths made for detritus consumption, so they'd be your best bet.

Good luck!

Oldreeferman · 12/09/2019, 03:28 PM

Yep,
Just about everything eats the delicate expensive macros including many fish,snails, & hermits, been there done that & for what you pay the macro algae is totally rediculess in size & amount one receives + shipping. I had several interesting ones & all were eaten up in less then a week, ill never go that rout again total waste of $$$. I have cheato in my display and it keeps red cyano in check & is growing nice & dark green & looks natural like a reef should. If i ever to mess with macro algae it would have to be a speciality tank or a fuge period.

Michael Hoaster · 12/10/2019, 09:37 AM

Why all the negativity towards macros?

Macro tanks are very different from reef tanks. And just as you wouldn't fill a reef tank with butterfly fish, in a macro tank you would also avoid certain fish, like tangs. They are not a waste of money if you've done some research and you know what you're doing. Throwing macros into a reef tank is a formula for failure, just as throwing corals into a macro tank would be.

Sure, macros can be challenging. Isn't that what this hobby is all about?

Oldreeferman · 12/10/2019, 06:26 PM

I said it would have to be a macro only speciality tank.
I was just explaining my exp. with macros, and what happened. I don't miss them at all if i even had them it would be as an additional nutrition source for all my inhabitants but i don't want to setup a macro only tank just to grow them out from expensive micro frag plugs, more work & i don't have the space for it.
They are interesting plants and as an additional food source everything loves them, just wish they came cheaper & in larger amounts is all.

mcgyvr · 12/10/2019, 08:31 PM

There are numerous macros that tangs won't eat..
Ive had good experiences buying macros off eBay... Small pieces/bunches but cheap and they grow fast given the right conditions..

Reefcleaners often has cheap/penny macro deals..
Liveplants has quite a bit of algae to choose from..

I really like macro tanks.. Go for it

saltyguy · 12/10/2019, 08:47 PM

Well what about Mangroves? I was researching and couldn’t find out if Tangs eat those. I think I will grow some macro in the sump as a food source for the Tangs. I also have right now some chaeto in my sump.

reefer1970 · 12/10/2019, 10:32 PM

No, they will not eat mangroves. They will eat most of the prettier macro in the display though. I grow codium in my sump because it doesn’t get invasive if it gets Into the display. It’s not the best looking macro for a display but look it up and message me if you want to try it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Michael Hoaster · 12/13/2019, 01:36 PM

Here's a recent pic of my seagrasses, macros and mangroves. The fish are Tuxedo Damsels (black and white), and Allen's Damsels (blue).

12/08/2019, 11:27 AM	#1
saltyguy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 288	Macroalgae Hello! It has been a long time since I have been on here. I set up a new aquarium and it has been Lance Armstrong (cycling) for 5 weeks now. I still need to do the first water change but I am not putting fish in till the new year. I am getting ideas of how I want to decorate the display tank. I was thinking of doing a Macroalgae display. Has anyone done this or have you known someone who has? I was thinking of mangroves but that’s really all I know of except chaeto. I don’t want chaeto in the display. I also want Tang fish so is there an algae that they don’t eat? Oh! I have a 125 gallon aquarium with a 55 gallon sump.

12/08/2019, 04:48 PM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sounds like a great tank idea! I'm doing something similar. My thread "Weeds" could be helpful: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2678002 Most tangs will eat most macros. The Ctenochaetus tangs, like Cole and Tomini have mouths made for detritus consumption, so they'd be your best bet. Good luck! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

12/09/2019, 03:28 PM	#3
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	Yep, Just about everything eats the delicate expensive macros including many fish,snails, & hermits, been there done that & for what you pay the macro algae is totally rediculess in size & amount one receives + shipping. I had several interesting ones & all were eaten up in less then a week, ill never go that rout again total waste of $$$. I have cheato in my display and it keeps red cyano in check & is growing nice & dark green & looks natural like a reef should. If i ever to mess with macro algae it would have to be a speciality tank or a fuge period. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

12/10/2019, 09:37 AM	#4
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Why all the negativity towards macros? Macro tanks are very different from reef tanks. And just as you wouldn't fill a reef tank with butterfly fish, in a macro tank you would also avoid certain fish, like tangs. They are not a waste of money if you've done some research and you know what you're doing. Throwing macros into a reef tank is a formula for failure, just as throwing corals into a macro tank would be. Sure, macros can be challenging. Isn't that what this hobby is all about? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

12/10/2019, 06:26 PM	#5
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	I said it would have to be a macro only speciality tank. I was just explaining my exp. with macros, and what happened. I don't miss them at all if i even had them it would be as an additional nutrition source for all my inhabitants but i don't want to setup a macro only tank just to grow them out from expensive micro frag plugs, more work & i don't have the space for it. They are interesting plants and as an additional food source everything loves them, just wish they came cheaper & in larger amounts is all. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

12/10/2019, 08:31 PM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	There are numerous macros that tangs won't eat.. Ive had good experiences buying macros off eBay... Small pieces/bunches but cheap and they grow fast given the right conditions.. Reefcleaners often has cheap/penny macro deals.. Liveplants has quite a bit of algae to choose from.. I really like macro tanks.. Go for it __________________ Who me?

12/10/2019, 08:47 PM	#7
saltyguy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 288	Well what about Mangroves? I was researching and couldn’t find out if Tangs eat those. I think I will grow some macro in the sump as a food source for the Tangs. I also have right now some chaeto in my sump.

12/10/2019, 10:32 PM	#8
reefer1970 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Grosse Pointe, MI Posts: 422	No, they will not eat mangroves. They will eat most of the prettier macro in the display though. I grow codium in my sump because it doesn’t get invasive if it gets Into the display. It’s not the best looking macro for a display but look it up and message me if you want to try it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/13/2019, 01:36 PM	#9
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Here's a recent pic of my seagrasses, macros and mangroves. The fish are Tuxedo Damsels (black and white), and Allen's Damsels (blue). __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018