Marco Algae? IN A DISPLAY TANK?!?!?!

[kirkplunkett]

So what are your thoughts on this?

I have a 30 Long with a Skimmer only. No filter, no refuge, notta...

I heard of folks putting Macro Algae in their DTs, but I wanted to get other opinions from here... Cause I like you guys... And you're smart.

I was looking at one or two of the following:
Maidens Hair
Painter's Brush
Dead Man's Fingers
Halimeda Plant
Mermaid's Fans

I'm also considering a HoB Refuge, but I'm still undecided.

 

[jamescook]

sure,why not?

 

[eagle9252]

you can do a HOB fuge.

 

[jef4y]

If you like the look of it, why not?

 

[ripped tide]

I keep all algaes away from my tank. Just personal preferance, and some Algaes can go sexual and cause issues.

 

[kirkplunkett]

Ripped Tide;795225 wrote: ...and some Algaes can go sexual and cause issues.

Elaborate please...

 

[thanh386]

Algae can go 8===D pew pew pew and go everywhere. Causing the algae to spread thru out the tank and be an unwanted pest and weed.

 

[ripped tide]

What thanh said...

Or:

http://marineplantbook.com/marinebookpage11.htm">http://marineplantbook.com/marinebookpage11.htm</a>

Edit: When they do go sexual, they die, which can release all the nutrients that they had been absorbing

 

[thanh386]

My explanation was a better summary ...!

 

[kirkplunkett]

Duly noted... Screw that.

A HoB Refugium it is!

 

[jmaneyapanda]

FYI- It can go "sexual" anywhere. In the display or the fuge. Either way, the result is the same.

 

[thanh386]

I had hoped it would go sexual one day, my tang needs food.

 

[ripped tide]

jmaneyapanda;795294 wrote: FYI- It can go "sexual" anywhere. In the display or the fuge. Either way, the result is the same.

That's why I don't use algae filtration.

 

[kirkplunkett]

Ripped Tide;795310 wrote: That's why I don't use algae filtration.

I know I don't NEED</em> a refugium or a skimmer on a 30 Long. I could get away with a HoB Filter, but... Through my experience, they're Nitrate factories.

That's why I got the skimmer. I've got a Reef Octopus BH100, and I'm looking to get the SS adapter (because the surface water in gettin' GROSS). I figured I could benefit from a HoB Fuge, but you guys got my head spinning.

What would y'all use for filtration on a 30 gallon aquarium?

I figured I could toss a bag of Carbon in there too.

 

[ripped tide]

Algae isn't a requirement in a refugium there are a lot of different ways to set them up.

Chaeto is a popular choise. It is an algae, but less likely to start sexual reproduction. I still don't like it because it can break up and clog pumps.

 

[lagunareef]

You can certainly keep macroalgae in your DT provided there are no herbivorous fish or invertebrates, esp. crabs. However, IME there are only a few macroalgae that will not likely "reproduce" (hence throwing off your water parameters and most likely causing a crash).

For filtration purposes, chaeto is popular but it tends to "break up and clog". Another alternative would be devil's finger or codium which has thick, spongy structure that doesn't break up or scatter, and remains dormant even with changing light cycles. Also, having a higher plant like mangroves will certainly help.

Maiden's Hair, Painter's Brush - these are sexual candidates, and with regards to Halimeda Plant and Mermaid's Fan, they're upkeep is difficult without the proper light and calcium/iron balance ratio.

For display purposes, red algae (Rhodophyta) is a suitable candidate, esp. from the kelp family. However, algae from the Chlorophyta class tends to reproduce (caulerpa).

With that said, a HOB fuge would work as a filtering agent and also a pod production facility for your 30g. On that note, "what happens in the fuge, stays in the fuge"...:up:

 

[snowmansnow]

In my opinion it isn't worth it. It won't be enough for nutrient consumption, and you run the risk of it going nuts

 

[mphammer]

Thanh386;795267 wrote: Algae can go 8===D pew pew pew

I was having a rough morning....then I read this ^^^^^^
I think the whole office heard me laughing