Macro algae?

Hey there, so i have been reading about the benifits of macro algae i.e. helping to keep down nitrate and p04 thus helping clear nusiance micro algae?
What do you recommend? they would need to be a type that could be kept in the main tank as i dont have a sump! ( is a sump whats known as a refugium? not really sure what they are but i hear a lot of you guys talking about them!!)

Also any plants??

I have hair algae all over my live rock, i have 10 hermit crabs and an emerald crab, any other suggestions for clean up crew that munch on algae??

Any reply greatly apperciated by my expanding "Marine" mind!!;D

 

try reefcleaners.org for suggestions on a clean up crew. If you give them your tank info, they will customize a CUC for you.

 

Chaetomorpha algae is a standard one. It has a really low risk of going sexual and spreading every where. However, you don't usually keep macro algaes in a DT unless your doing a planted tank. If you have hair algae problems, that algae is basically doing the same thing that a refugium does, except it's in your Dt and not refugium. I would first look to see what your putting into the tank, cut back on feedings, vitamins, coral food or other supplements. There are some types of macro algae that you can put in your DT, but the problem with most is that they will spread uncontrolably. (Thus why we use a refugium and not have it in the DT.)

 

yes chaeto or also known as chaetomorpha is the main macro algae that everyone uses. these stuff are great if you use 6500k lighting. I also recommend reefcleaners.org for all your clean up crew needs, but as for the hair algae, it might be a battle. you might want to try to prune back the hair algae until its really short then use some turbo snails to take care of the rest.

 

Thanks blumoon i will check it out!!

Guitarman89, im kinda understanding why so many reefkeepers have a "fuge"
Dont think i will be able to add one at the moment but it looks more likely i will have one in the near future! Thanks again mate!

 

No problem, if you have any more questions just let me know. Cheers.

 

I hate when plants start having sex in my tank. Thats just nasty.

 

:biggrinbo