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mxsnow145
Guest
what kind of macro algae is good for taking nitrates out of an aquarium
rainbow grouper
Active Member
the weed you see in my tank
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3406601
what kind of macro algae is good for taking nitrates out of an aquarium
All macroalgae does this. It feeds on the nitrates and phosphates as it grows, you remove it and it grows some more, as long as you keep removing the new growth you are removing nitrates and phosphates from the system.
Caulerpa has a tendency to go asexual amd cloud up the tank, Chaeto breaks apart when it goes asexual and clogs up filters and gets tiny little pieces everywhere. These are the most common. There are lots of beautiful macros to choose from, if you keep it in the main tank you want the ones your fish won't eat up on you. The fast growers can become invasive.
There are three categories red, brown and the green macroalgae. Then you have mangroves and seagrasses
I purchase my macros online at Gulf Coast Ecosystems. If you see a maco you like you might have to wait until it is back in season but it's worth the wait for what you want. They can be bautiful, but they can also be a pain in the backside too.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3406601
what kind of macro algae is good for taking nitrates out of an aquarium
All macroalgae does this. It feeds on the nitrates and phosphates as it grows, you remove it and it grows some more, as long as you keep removing the new growth you are removing nitrates and phosphates from the system.
Caulerpa has a tendency to go asexual amd cloud up the tank, Chaeto breaks apart when it goes asexual and clogs up filters and gets tiny little pieces everywhere. These are the most common. There are lots of beautiful macros to choose from, if you keep it in the main tank you want the ones your fish won't eat up on you. The fast growers can become invasive.
There are three categories red, brown and the green macroalgae. Then you have mangroves and seagrasses
I purchase my macros online at Gulf Coast Ecosystems. If you see a maco you like you might have to wait until it is back in season but it's worth the wait for what you want. They can be bautiful, but they can also be a pain in the backside too.
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mxsnow145
Guest
what would be best for the sump refugium? b.c thats where i was planing on putting it.... and with it in my sump refugium should i alo have acouple small LR there to?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407015
what would be best for the sump refugium? b.c thats where i was planing on putting it.... and with it in my sump refugium should i alo have acouple small LR there to?
A little live rock and some Chaeto...a small power head to move the water, I think Chaeto likes to tumble...you need some kind of light for the algae to grow.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407015
what would be best for the sump refugium? b.c thats where i was planing on putting it.... and with it in my sump refugium should i alo have acouple small LR there to?
A little live rock and some Chaeto...a small power head to move the water, I think Chaeto likes to tumble...you need some kind of light for the algae to grow.
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mxsnow145
Guest
yeah i have a JBJ 25 WATT 67K MACRO-GLO ADJUSTABLE REFUGIUM LIGHT shipping to me that will be here on monday and i have a really good flow through the refugium... alto i tryed putting a power head in there and it made to much splash 
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407029
yeah i have a JBJ 25 WATT 67K MACRO-GLO ADJUSTABLE REFUGIUM LIGHT shipping to me that will be here on monday and i have a really good flow through the refugium... alto i tryed putting a power head in there and it made to much splash
I added a bubble line to mine...no stone. However I rigged it up to never touch the bottom (about an inch above it) when sand gets stirred up it clouds the DT. Fancy sounding light...do you have a picture? I just have a 40w goose neck lamp on mine.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407029
yeah i have a JBJ 25 WATT 67K MACRO-GLO ADJUSTABLE REFUGIUM LIGHT shipping to me that will be here on monday and i have a really good flow through the refugium... alto i tryed putting a power head in there and it made to much splash
I added a bubble line to mine...no stone. However I rigged it up to never touch the bottom (about an inch above it) when sand gets stirred up it clouds the DT. Fancy sounding light...do you have a picture? I just have a 40w goose neck lamp on mine.
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mxsnow145
Guest
no not yet i wont get it untill monday but i have a link to it Please do not post links to competitor sites
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Heck, I've had great results with 40w and 60w lightbulbs from the hardware store to grow macroalgae... use a clip on lamp and BOOM you have a fuge light for less than $10.
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mxsnow145
Guest
haha nice ;p
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407113
Heck, I've had great results with 40w and 60w lightbulbs from the hardware store to grow macroalgae... use a clip on lamp and BOOM you have a fuge light for less than $10.
LOL...I paid $4.00 for my clip on at Walmart....if macro grows nice under 40w garbage lights.... imagine what it would do under a real grow lamp.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407113
Heck, I've had great results with 40w and 60w lightbulbs from the hardware store to grow macroalgae... use a clip on lamp and BOOM you have a fuge light for less than $10.
LOL...I paid $4.00 for my clip on at Walmart....if macro grows nice under 40w garbage lights.... imagine what it would do under a real grow lamp.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
It depends on where in your system you want to place it. For a refuge I would suggest you research caulerpa. It will out compete any other form macro.
And as far as it going asexual, that is what you want. That is how it grows new blades. The problem arises when the hobbyist does not harvest the caulerpa regularly. It then needs either more space or more nutrient and as a method of survival it will go SEXUAL and dump its stores of nitrogen and phosphates back into your tank. And i think my good friend flower means gulf coast not golf coast
And as far as it going asexual, that is what you want. That is how it grows new blades. The problem arises when the hobbyist does not harvest the caulerpa regularly. It then needs either more space or more nutrient and as a method of survival it will go SEXUAL and dump its stores of nitrogen and phosphates back into your tank. And i think my good friend flower means gulf coast not golf coast
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407294
It depends on where in your system you want to place it. For a refuge I would suggest you research caulerpa. It will out compete any other form macro.
And as far as it going asexual, that is what you want. That is how it grows new blades. The problem arises when the hobbyist does not harvest the caulerpa regularly. It then needs either more space or more nutrient and as a method of survival it will go SEXUAL and dump its stores of nitrogen and phosphates back into your tank. And i think my good friend flower means gulf coast mpt golf coast
I hate when I miss a typo...LOL..I fixed it....I have never had caulerpa, I was always afraid of it after what it did in other tanks. I had no idea that if you harvest it that will take care of the problem, I have read about people keeping the fuge lights on 24/7..all kinds of such things to do to prevent a disaster....watch for white edges because it does that just before...
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407294
It depends on where in your system you want to place it. For a refuge I would suggest you research caulerpa. It will out compete any other form macro.
And as far as it going asexual, that is what you want. That is how it grows new blades. The problem arises when the hobbyist does not harvest the caulerpa regularly. It then needs either more space or more nutrient and as a method of survival it will go SEXUAL and dump its stores of nitrogen and phosphates back into your tank. And i think my good friend flower means gulf coast mpt golf coast
I hate when I miss a typo...LOL..I fixed it....I have never had caulerpa, I was always afraid of it after what it did in other tanks. I had no idea that if you harvest it that will take care of the problem, I have read about people keeping the fuge lights on 24/7..all kinds of such things to do to prevent a disaster....watch for white edges because it does that just before...
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Yes Flower when you harvest caulerpa and keep it in check it has no fear of not having enough room to grow or enough nutrients only when it does feel that those two requirements are not available will it as a means of survival will go sexual and attempt to find another place to colonize
btldreef
Moderator
I LOVE having Caulerpa. I have zero luck with chaeto, and I think it's partially because my caulerpa just over takes it. I've found caulerpa to remove waste better than the chaeto does, but it needs to be harvested. Mine grows so fast that every other week I have to literally rip out 2-3 fist fulls of it.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Turf algae scrubber. XD
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mxsnow145
Guest
@bltdreef can i see some pics? and how do you know when it needs to be harvsted? also how long do you keep your fuge lights on for?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407494
@bltdreef can i see some pics? and how do you know when it needs to be harvsted? also how long do you keep your fuge lights on for?
As it grows you remove the new ...about once a month or every two weeks depending on how fast it grows. Lot's of folks run refugium lights when the main tank is off, that way the PH is more stable. During the night PH drops so lights in the refugium will prevent that drop.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407494
@bltdreef can i see some pics? and how do you know when it needs to be harvsted? also how long do you keep your fuge lights on for?
As it grows you remove the new ...about once a month or every two weeks depending on how fast it grows. Lot's of folks run refugium lights when the main tank is off, that way the PH is more stable. During the night PH drops so lights in the refugium will prevent that drop.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Actually ph control is secondary to nutrient export when you use a higher form of algae in your refuge. Many hobbyists leave there refuge lights on 24/7 for that reason
bang guy
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407580
Actually ph control is secondary to nutrient export when you use a higher form of algae in your refuge. Many hobbyists leave there refuge lights on 24/7 for that reason
Or use a reverse photoperiod lighting on the refugium.
Originally Posted by florida joe http:///forum/thread/387285/macro-algae#post_3407580
Actually ph control is secondary to nutrient export when you use a higher form of algae in your refuge. Many hobbyists leave there refuge lights on 24/7 for that reason
Or use a reverse photoperiod lighting on the refugium.