Beginner Macroalgae for a mixed reef

[TannerWhatever]

Hey everyone first post here
I have a 25 gallon waterbox peninsula aio that’s been running for 4 months now. I’ve got mainly LPS corals and a few softies. I run a single AI Prime over the tank.
I’ve been having a hair algae outbreak this past month and I’ve been looking for ways to help keep my nutrients down and macroalgae is something I’d really like to try my hand at, so I wanted to ask for some good types of beginner macroalgae for my tank. Any other suggestions are appreciated too!

 

[shakacuz]

chaeto is a very easy macro algae.

 

[Patx]

For in tank ?
C. Prolifera and other caulerpa etc...
See what you can find first.

 

[shakacuz]

For in tank ?

you can get a small basket. but for a small tank you can do pom pom, dragons breath and or tongue, or ogo

 

[Patx]

But be aware... 14g

 

[Roadkillstewie]

Caulerpa's tend to fast growth to potential invasive if you don't stay on top of em...

Halimedas, and other more calciferous(sp?) type's slower ie: Pinecone, mermaids fan, pompom
Codium/Deadmans finger plant

Lot of red options that have decent growth but lack the potential...issues that come with many of the Caulerpa's.


There's a sub on this site dedicated to Macro Algae you should check out.

 

[TannerWhatever]

Caulerpa's tend to fast growth to potential invasive if you don't stay on top of em...

Halimedas, and other more calciferous(sp?) type's slower ie: Pinecone, mermaids fan, pompom
Codium/Deadmans finger plant

Lot of red options that have decent growth but lack the potential...issues that come with many of the Caulerpa's.


There's a sub on this site dedicated to Macro Algae you should check out.

I’ll definitely check out the macroalgae sub thank you!

 

[TannerWhatever]

But be aware... 14g

Wow! I was worried that the macroalgae would have trouble growing in lol seems like it’s the opposite. I’ve heard that macroalgae prefer certain light spectrums too is this true or is it looking a little too deep into it?

 

[TannerWhatever]

you can get a small basket. but for a small tank you can do pom pom, dragons breath and or tongue, or ogo

My tank is on the smaller side at 25 gallons so I’m hoping a few small pieces tucked in towards the back of the tank won’t get too out of hand.

 

[Patx]

Wow! I was worried that the macroalgae would have trouble growing in lol seems like it’s the opposite. I’ve heard that macroalgae prefer certain light spectrums too is this true or is it looking a little too deep into it?

That was my first sw tank (2013) if i remember right.
First picture was under halide....
2nd picture under diy led cree white/blue
Nothing special... the light you like will work. (If coral are ok, macro will be too)
Was dosing to keep no3 around 5ppm and wc 10% week.

 

[Doctorgori]

Just one opinion but maybe limit to the reds and calciferous (halmedias, et) for now (just for now)
I’d research the caulerpras 1st , easy to make a misstep …
plenty of. competent. help here on r2r

 

[Patx]

Just one opinion but maybe limit to the reds and calciferous (halmedias, et) for now …. I’d research the caulerpras 1st , easy to make a misstep

I find Halimeda more picky... never have succes. (Worth trying, every tank are different)
The red are great looking, growing more slowly. (In my case)

My 3 preference was

C. Prolifera : never "go sexual" on me...(cloudy water)
C. lentillifera : almost never (1x) : Fast grower
C.serrulata : only under bright light (guessing 600-700par) : Fast grower

 

[TannerWhatever]

That was my first sw tank (2013) if i remember right.
First picture was under halide....
2nd picture under diy led cree white/blue
Nothing special... the light you like will work. (If coral are ok, macro will be too)
Was dosing to keep no3 around 5ppm and wc 10% week.

Dope I’m happy I won’t need to add another light or make a big change in the spectrum I’m running. My nitrates do usually sit a little higher around 7-10ppm(they’ve been rising these past few weeks) will the macros be okay with this?

 

[Patx]

Dope I’m happy I won’t need to add another light or make a big change in the spectrum I’m running. My nitrates do usually sit a little higher around 7-10ppm(they’ve been rising these past few weeks) will the macros be okay with this?

Yup !
If thing go well... you will need to dose some

 

[TannerWhatever]

Just one opinion but maybe limit to the reds and calciferous (halmedias, et) for now (just for now)
I’d research the caulerpras 1st , easy to make a misstep …
plenty of. competent. help here on r2r

I am leaning towards more of the reds right now like dragons breath but I know the main thing with caulerpras is how fast they grow, would it be something I can keep in check by trimming it a little each week or would it just grow too fast?

 

[TannerWhatever]

Yup !
If thing go well... you will need to dose some

lol I figure I’m starting to trend that way with my tank getting more and more established

 

[Patx]

 

[TannerWhatever]

No way this is actually the guy I just found on YouTube like an hour ago! I’ll definitely check this video out!

 

[Patx]

No way this is actually the guy I just found on YouTube like an hour ago! I’ll definitely check this video out!

I search rapidly and find this video too lol
I agread with all the thing he said

 

[Roadkillstewie]

I am leaning towards more of the reds right now like dragons breath but I know the main thing with caulerpras is how fast they grow, would it be something I can keep in check by trimming it a little each week or would it just grow too fast?

Watching and trying once...maybe 2x a week would prolly work..and kind of depends on the look you want...and which caulerpa you used.