Securing macro algea ?

[dam]

I recently purchased a nice assortment of macro algea from LFS to help consume nitrates. I would like suggestions for securing and weighing these down. I expect that I could use nylon tie wraps to bunch them together but I would like some weight to help secure them also. In fresh water they use lead weights but I wasn't sure about introducing that into my SW tank. Are lead fishing weights safe or should I avoid them?
BTW, I was hoping to do something other than simply securing them in my substrate. My lighting is not too strong so I was hoping to elevate it on my LR to get better light intensity.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

Are you going to be putting these into the main tank because if you are I would suggest you to get a refugium instead. If you put this macro algae in your tank it probably will go sexual on you. Which means you will not be able to control it or get rid of it without alot of work. I would suggest to set up a small refugium either a hob depending on the size of your tank. If you do decide you can just put it underneath a rock of get some rubble and set on the top of the macro..

 

[drakken]

I've had macro algae in my display tank. I have just under 3 watts per/gal of PC light and I can't get the stuff to grow much. If you do get it to grow quickly keep it trimmed to help keep it from going sexual and to remove the nitrates and prosphates.
Now, to answer your question...
I use a small rock or peice of coral and rubber band the macros to it then cover the rock with sand. You can also just push one end into the substrate and it will take hold (unless you have fish that nibble at it).

 

[cprdnick]

I agree with these guys on macro not being in the display. IMO the only kind of algae that has any business being in my tank has the word 'coraline' in it.

 

[dam]

Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't clear about what I got, it was a variety of caulerpa. Appears to be prolifera (flat long leaves), one of the fern like frond varieties and a third that had a thicker stem and disk like leaves or nodules.
Forgive my newbie ignorance but is this caulerpa what you are cautioning can run wild in my tank? At first glance it would appear large enough to find and remove if needed. If this is it, I can search previous posts about pruning them back, I recall having read about this a few months back on previous threads. I will also look into a hang on refuge to hold the more agressive growers.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[drakken]

The reason others have cautioned about caulerpa is that it can go sexual - which means the algae explodes releasing spores throughout your tank. Your tank will then turn green and the algae can spread quickly. Running carbon or any good water polisher will clear up the green.
Keeping the macros in a fuge with the lights on 24/7 and trimming it back greatly reduces the chance of it going sexual. Do a search here on "caulerpa" and you will find a lot of info.
HTH

 

[slt]

Nobody addressed Dave's question about lead weights. I really want to know also.
Steve

 

[drakken]

Originally Posted by slt
Nobody addressed Dave's question about lead weights. I really want to know also.
Steve
Lead can leach so do not use that in a SW tank.

 

[snailheave]

if the macroalgaes you got are grown in chunks (i.e. chaeto) like mine, you can 'hook' one corner of the chunk to a rock. pick a rock that has a branch or something like that and if needed, elevate it with something beneath it, and let it float there. soon the macroalgaes will grow onto the rock. your algaes might run away from time to time before it roots itself.