Macro-algae
- Thread starter krs14
- Start date
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What is your nitrate at? Many use algae turf scrubbers or macro algae reactors, chaeto is very commonly used. Macros will consume nitrate but it's also important to make sure the macros are also able to grow otherwise they wont really contribute to uptake
That really not that high. What’s the volume of your tank? Please upload some pics of it so we can get more of an idea on what’s going on. Macros are likely to uptake some N but I don’t really think yours is alarming. Maybe some consistent water changes will be enough to manage that
krs14
New Member
It is a 20 gallon tank. Here is a picture!
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Water changes are very beneficial to the upkeep of tanks like ours. I have a 14g and while I do have chaetomorpha and some decorative macros, I find the best method to manage N is a large, 40-50% WC every few weeks. You can definitely add chaetomorpha and other macros but your tank looks a bit new, the algae may initially have a hard time taking off
krs14
New Member
Thank you so much for all of your help! I am going to do a water change and see if that will help.
When you get a chance, start up a build thread too. It’ll help you chronicle your progress and you’ll get plenty of valuable feedback from more experienced reefers on R2R 
get-salty
Active Member
@lil sumpin - Those are excellent tips, you hit every point !
anywho..krs14 my man/wo man.. the high nitrates are prob from the new rocks and sand. that is normal. everything will adjust accordingly, but do water changes in the mean time.
btw, i grow chaeto in my refugium (sump section).Good luck and happy reefing !
krs14
New Member
Thank you! Woman
My nitrates were pretty low since the beginning and then a couple days ago it sky rocketed and it kind of freaked me out and I went crazy researching on what to do.
get-salty
Active Member
new setup will go thru stages.Thank you! Woman
a 5yr old tank can still crash all of a sudden.
also remember not to change too many things at one time. you wont know the cause when doing so much.
i just noticed that you dont have any corals (yet). Fish dont give a pie if nitrate/phosphate are high so you're good for now.
i also see the brown on sand and rocks. id turn them lights off for now until it is cycled or limits to 3-4hrs/day. fish dont need lights, lights are for us human to enjoy! which i understand it can be hard bc saltwater are amazing and better than fresh - ok i wont go there ; )
BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
Chaeto is macroalgae
BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
3O nitrate is ok. Your tank is still new it will still experience swings. If you want macros add them, personally I love how they look do I would add them regardless. If you do add some make sure to stay away from anything calcified like mermiad's fan. Calcified macros don't grow well in new tanks.
vlangel
Seahorse whisperer
Hi krs 14 and welcome R2R! The suggestions of lil sumpin and get-salty are good advise. However, you might want to add macro-algae down the road as the tank matures just because they can be very pretty. I like my ornamental macroalgae as much as I like the coral. They give a tank a punch of red and green and look very natural.
BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
Amazing red grapes!!!!Hi krs 14 and welcome R2R! The suggestions of lil sumpin and get-salty are good advise. However, you might want to add macro-algae down the road as the tank matures just because they can be very pretty. I like my ornamental macroalgae as much as I like the coral. They give a tank a punch of red and green and look very natural.
BryanM
Active Member
The good and bad of reef2reef, theres a TON of information, and with regards to water parameters its almost like politics.... Very divisive.Thank you! Woman
As a new reefer, the best advice is to observe, but I'm a new reefer and it's extremely hard not to chase numbers.
For some reference, this might be my favorite thread on r2r: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...igh-po4-high-no3.1072883/page-6#post-12864886
It clearly shows that numbers FAR above what people believe are okay produce gorgeous tanks... Which has gotten me to be less concerned about numbers overall.
vlangel
Seahorse whisperer
Aw, thanks BristleWormHater! Lately my red grapes have been thriving.
vlangel
Seahorse whisperer
I agree that in an established tank higher numbers can be fine. In my tank my macroalgae do better with Nitrates at least at 25 and Phosphates can be at .5 (or even higher) without me having a nuisance algae issue.
krs14
New Member
So far everything has been going great (fingers crossed). I do only run my lights for a few hours a day! I would love coral but I am way too nervous about adding one, hopefully in the future! The slightest thing can rise and I freak out. I am just trying my best so nothing crashes because I would hate to see it happen.
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krs14
New Member
Wow, how beautiful!! I definitely would love to add one down the road.Hi krs 14 and welcome R2R! The suggestions of lil sumpin and get-salty are good advise. However, you might want to add macro-algae down the road as the tank matures just because they can be very pretty. I like my ornamental macroalgae as much as I like the coral. They give a tank a punch of red and green and look very natural.
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