Question about Shaving Brush & Halimedia

I've been thinking about ordering some of these to compensate for my lack of a refugium. These two species from what I've read seems to pose a low risk of going sexual and their growth can be easily controlled. Plus it doesn't hurt that I like the look of these plants. However does anyone know how much of this stuff can be loaded into a 29g display tank to reap the rewards of their natural nutrient export?

I was think about starting with 4 stalks of shaving brush and 1 halimedia. I don't mind them being visible, but I don't them dominate the appearance of the my tank.

 

I am not up on the shaving brush but one of my LFS buddies recommended it. I went with Halimeda. One or two plants will do it. It takes a little time to establish, say 2-3 weeks but once it does it sucks up nitrate to bring it to 0. You have to watch your calcium, it uses it to grow. If after awhile it starts to get bushy as mine has, you simply thin it out and if too tall just cut it back.

 

So what are your feelings on Halimedia's nutrient export capabilities? I've ran across information stating that it does not fare well with nitrates and it consumes calcium. That concerns me a little since I was looking for that benefit. I was considering halimedia basically for it's looks (I'm that shallow ;D ) and shaving brush for it's nutrient export capability. I'd consider going with just halimedia it can keep pace.

 

Yes, as I stated, it does suck up nitrate. Mine went from 40 ppm to 20 ppm and finally to zero after about 3 weeks.

 

I would consider halimedia much more effective at removing nitrates than shaving brush, and probably even chaeto, IME.

 

I agree.

 

I personaly have never had a Shaving Brush(SB) before but only b/c I've heard that they are not worth the trouble of having. Very hard to keep alive with no big benefits. Luna

 

Halimedia it is. Just ordered it. Karma to all, Thanks for your input.

 

I actually have had the opposite so far. My shaving brush and mermaids fan are both prolific, but I am struggling with halimedia, chaeto, and ulva.

 

Ah... don't say that. I just ordered 3 halimedia plants.. oh well, if it doesn't work out I will try shaving brush. They are both are super cheap online.