Some opinions on macroalgae please

I am thinking of getting one of these two:

Flame Algae
ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Flame Algae

or

Fire Fern
ReefCleaners.org | Clean Up Crews and Macro Algae - Fire Fern

There is some great info on reefcleaners.org about them.


Looks like they will lower my nitrates and phosphates (and Ca). (running 0, .5 and 400 respectively)

But that's not really why I want one. I think they're both neat looking and have a coral look to them.

I've got a 55g display only setup, so I'm wanting to put one in there. I've read through reefcleaners and this seems like a grand idea.

So I just want to see if any of you guys might have some comments on them... help me decide ;D

Thanks

PS
(I have 0 coral so far and will be adding a skimmer after Christmas, Santa willing).

 

I would never put micro algae in the display tank as it will take over your tank pretty easily.

 

Those are not microalgae but macroalgae instead. It would be a blessing to have those two macros take over them. I picked some up for them and they are very beautiful but grow slow.

 

Thanks. I'm looking for folks experiences with them... to kind of see what sort of things to expect.

Seems to me they are very reef safe... part of it too.

From what I've read, they are 'calciferous' and don't spread too much...

 

If you want it in your DT I suppose it would be fine but many herbivores will nibble on macro algae and that is counterproductive. Also one of the main benefits of Macro is to have it lit when the DTs lights are off, this not only helps stabalize pH but also creates O2 when everything else is using it. When the lights are off plants use O2 as well. If you are serious into lower PO4 an NO3 then I would recommend chaetomorpha or caulerpa and I would put that into a 'fuge.

Good luck

 

I'm not wanting it for its PO4/NO3 lowering properties - I want it for the same reason I might want a frog spawn or leather. Just for variety in the DT visually.

I'm thinking because it calcifies, it won't be nibbled on (at least not so much to be a problem).

Looking for experiences with these two macroalgaes.

 

^bump^

 

^bump^

I kind of thought I'd get a ton of feedback on this...

 

Nemastoma is one of my favorites. See if he can get some for you. (It requires actinics to fluoresce like this.

 

Anyone out there have experiences with Fire Fern or Flame Algae (particularly in DT)?