Dangers of macro algae?

Hi All,

So, I'm thinking about getting some macro algae for my tank. The nitrates aren't very high, about 10 ppm, but I thought it would help keep the nitrate level low and maybe even bring it back down to 0. Plus, macro algae is really pretty and would look awesome in my tank!

However, I did some reading online and found that some people don't like using macro algae because it messes too much with the oxygen level in the tank and causes the water to get all out of whack, hurting the fish, etc. This really concerns me.

Does anyone have macro algae or know about it? What about the dangers of macro algae?

Thanks!

 

I have no problem with my macro, and I hate a ton of it.. but then again I have a sump, fuge, skimmer, overflow, and turbid water surface so I think I have plenty of oxygen available..

I wouldn't put any in the display tank.. JMO

 

I agree. no problems.

 

No problems too. i have 90percent chaeto and 10 percent grape caulerpa in my refugium, i feed very heavily and my nitrates are < 2

 

ive got a huge chaeto ball and i wayyyy over feed nitrates 0 plus you get all the little critters in the algae , pods like crazy

 

Okay, thanks everyone! I think I'm going to try some. I'm just so afraid to mess my tank up; everything is going so well (knock on wood!). But if you all have it, and there haven't been any problems, I think I'll go for it.

 

KC If you have an old HOB filter you can pull the pads out and run chaeto in it instead of a filter and it will do the same thing.

 

That's a really good idea!! I didn't think of that. I could even buy a cheap HOB filter to put the macro in.

Thank you!!

 

I wouldn't put it in the display. I have a bunch of it in my fuge and it acts as a biological-mechanical filter. It traps detritus and the pods and bristle worms go through it and eat it all. Much better than a filter bad since it is self cleaning and eliminates nitrates rather than creating them.

 

I wanted to put it in the display because it's so pretty and colorful, but I do think it would be best to not have it in the tank.

I think I'll put it in an old HOB filter.