Looking to add a macroalgae directly to my tank

I'm looking to add a macro-algae to my tank (once it cycles). When I had the tank (20 gallons) set up originally (leak in tank), I had a little bit of an algae problem (I kept the lights on way too much for one). I don't recall any nitrites and I had low levels of nitrates and possibly phosphates (never tested, but used well water). I am restarting my tank using RO water. I would like to add a macro-algae to the tank to act somewhat like a sump and help eliminate potential nitrates and phosphates in the tank.

I have looked at a few options and they all look esthetically pleasing to me. However, I am curious to know which of the following are most effective in what I wish for them to accomplish.

Algae: Grape Caulerpa, Halimeda (Money Plant), Codium (Short) and Cactus Caulerpa. I especially like Cactus Caulerpa.

Thanks.

 

Do not use grape caulerpa, it's a nuisance to get rid of.

Halimeda is cool looking but will not do nearly as well as chaeto in removing nitrates.

I made the mistake of putting macro directly in an old BC14 of mine and never got rid of all of the little jerk-runners of the caulerpa.

Do you have room to put a HOB powerfilter? You can turn one of those into a fuge . . . http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/diy-hob-fuge-63086.html
something like that link might help you out and avoid putting macro in the DT.

 

Halimeda requires calcium and not nitrates or phosphates to grow.

I really liked my codium. It grew very well in my nutrient rich tanks with PC lights.

 

I second the codium. To me they add a nice look to the DT, now they arent the nitrate destroyers that chaeto or calp is but they are easy on the eyes & grew quite well. I had both the large & small from reefcleaners in my DT. The large hermit my son convinced my to impulse buy tore them up before I got him & threw him in the fuge. I'm just waiting on RC to get some more in.

 

Interesting concept re: DIY fuge. It might have to look into that more before I make my decision. I am in no rush as I just put water back into my tank today. It's not even cycling yet, so I have plenty of time.

The short Codium was my second favorite next to the cactus caulerpa. Does anyone know anything about the cactus caulerpa?

 

Does anyone have an idea of how I would go about creating a light similar to the one he made in the link? Also, would there be any need for a carbon filter if a created a make shift sump? Would an LED light provide sufficient light for an algae like Chaeto?

 

Not true- grape caulerpa works very well- to elliminate it- add a few tangs- it will be gone in a few days. I feed it to my tangs- they love it, and are very healthy.

Matter of fact I grew some on a 6x8 inch live rock- it was quite a a lot of algae, in three hours- all of it was gone- all of it.

Use nature to cure algae, the trick is finding the right critters to do such.

 

It's a 20 gallon tank.

 

well that is no big deal, use smaller amounts. as it grows out place in a friends tank or a larger tank with tangs- and in no time it will be picked clean. Just trying to be helpful- I have several tanks, I am sorry I didnt realize your tank was a 20 gallon.

 

No need to apologize,I figured you didn't see that his tank was a 20g