Macro Algae Farm

Leafer · 02/15/2013, 09:58 AM

Macro algae has not been growing well in my refugium so I’m setting up an independent tank in which I’ll grow cheato and gracilaria. Clearly I’d prefer to maintain my system’s high quality water for my reef then overfeed or boost nutrients. There are a couple of things that I’d like to run by this community.

Would you have any concerns fertilizing in the farm tank knowing some plants would be harvested, rinsed and added to my main system? I’m considering mild use of things like Seachem Flourish Excel (provides co2) Kent Marine Pro Plant (provides Nitrogen). Some of these products contain copper or other things I may not want to add to my system directly.

Currently I’m tumbling the chaeto with a small powerhead. I am thinking of replacing this with an air pump and stone. This would provide preferable flow and use less current. But would this be less desirable as it would drive out co2? Which is best powerhead or bubbler?

thanks

Allmost · 02/15/2013, 10:01 AM

so you want to set up a different, independent system, to grow algae.

and then add that alge to your reef ?

why ?

Leafer · 02/15/2013, 10:19 AM

I think the ecosystem is improved with some macro algae, the algae provides food and places for micro fauna to live in my fuge. Gracilaria can be fed to fish in my display. I think I will eventually get maintainable groth in my fuge but right now I want this back up source so I don't have to keep buying new batches of algae.

kclewis · 02/15/2013, 10:26 AM

Why not just wait until your fuge will accept macro? #1 lesson I've learned in this hobby is not to rush anything. Even the simple things.

Allmost · 02/15/2013, 10:27 AM

I dont get the plan, by buying algae patches do you mean buying nori to feed your tangs ? if so you can get it for cheap at asian stores.

But for an algae tank, you wont need co2 or no3, just feed the tank with pellets,and use no skimmer, that would build up enough N and P and co2 for algae to take over.

about your Fuge in reef tank, ry a power head pointed at the bottom... this will rotate waer and cheato, and not let anything settle, also use 6500 [yelowish] light over it for best growth.

HTH

02/15/2013, 09:58 AM	#1
Leafer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Flanders, NJ Posts: 259	Macro Algae Farm Macro algae has not been growing well in my refugium so I’m setting up an independent tank in which I’ll grow cheato and gracilaria. Clearly I’d prefer to maintain my system’s high quality water for my reef then overfeed or boost nutrients. There are a couple of things that I’d like to run by this community. Would you have any concerns fertilizing in the farm tank knowing some plants would be harvested, rinsed and added to my main system? I’m considering mild use of things like Seachem Flourish Excel (provides co2) Kent Marine Pro Plant (provides Nitrogen). Some of these products contain copper or other things I may not want to add to my system directly. Currently I’m tumbling the chaeto with a small powerhead. I am thinking of replacing this with an air pump and stone. This would provide preferable flow and use less current. But would this be less desirable as it would drive out co2? Which is best powerhead or bubbler? thanks

02/15/2013, 10:01 AM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	so you want to set up a different, independent system, to grow algae. and then add that alge to your reef ? why ?

02/15/2013, 10:19 AM	#3
Leafer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Flanders, NJ Posts: 259	I think the ecosystem is improved with some macro algae, the algae provides food and places for micro fauna to live in my fuge. Gracilaria can be fed to fish in my display. I think I will eventually get maintainable groth in my fuge but right now I want this back up source so I don't have to keep buying new batches of algae.

02/15/2013, 10:26 AM	#4
kclewis REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beautiful Bargersville, IN Posts: 383	Why not just wait until your fuge will accept macro? #1 lesson I've learned in this hobby is not to rush anything. Even the simple things.

02/15/2013, 10:27 AM	#5
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	I dont get the plan, by buying algae patches do you mean buying nori to feed your tangs ? if so you can get it for cheap at asian stores. But for an algae tank, you wont need co2 or no3, just feed the tank with pellets,and use no skimmer, that would build up enough N and P and co2 for algae to take over. about your Fuge in reef tank, ry a power head pointed at the bottom... this will rotate waer and cheato, and not let anything settle, also use 6500 [yelowish] light over it for best growth. HTH