Halimeda...pros & cons

ultimatemusky · 12/06/2008, 01:10 PM

I would like to know what benefits halimeda offer to a tank/refugium and also any negative impact it may have.

Toddrtrex · 12/06/2008, 01:16 PM

One negative impact that I can think of is that it is a calcium hog, so you will have to pay closer attention to your levels. As for the benefits, it looks neat. I don't think it is very good at nutrient export compared to other macros.

saltylife1 · 12/06/2008, 01:22 PM

definately sucks up calcium. i had some growing on a piece of liverock in my tank. it slowly started to spread on that rock into more stalks or branches. i would pull it off so i couldn't see anymore of it....a week later i could see it starting to grow again. i finally pulled the rock and threw it away.

WaterKeeper · 12/06/2008, 01:46 PM

The good part is that it forms a nice compact algae and has a desirable shape. Bad part is it sometimes produces massive spore outbreaks and can make a mess of the water. If havested it is a good algae IMO and the spores can be removed by a canister filter.

johnmaloney · 12/06/2008, 03:21 PM

Pros: looks coold removes nitrates and phosphates
Cons: uses calcium. May cost up to $3 in calcium a year, maybe $5 - may go sexual if not cared for, not too big of a problem with this algae though.

ultimatemusky · 12/06/2008, 07:22 PM

Thank you for the input it is only in my fuge for right now. They are under low light 24/7 along with cheato & live rock/sand.

otrlynn · 12/06/2008, 09:31 PM

Here is a pic of my first tank, a 29 gallon that has been upgraded to a 58. I had quite a bit of Halimeda growing in it. I never had a problem with it releasing spores, as far as I know. I still have some in my 58 gallon, though not as much. I have had it pop up in new places in the tank, but I find it relatively easy to remove if I don't like where it is growing. I don't have a sump/fuge, and I presume that it helps take up nitrates and phosphates. I like the way it looks in the tank also.

12/06/2008, 01:10 PM	#1
ultimatemusky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: wisconsin Posts: 462	Halimeda...pros & cons I would like to know what benefits halimeda offer to a tank/refugium and also any negative impact it may have. __________________ Goooz--Frabba........Ok, that didn't work I'm still ticked off. Current Tank Info: 75 gal w/lps, zoas, shrooms, RO/DI, 500watt halide+ 108watt t5, 1500+gph flow, 10g fuge w/chaeto/rubble rock, 10gal sump w/rock, 125#'s+ live rock, 3.5" sand bed, 40 gal breeder frag tank w/250 watt halide & 192 watts actinic pc's

12/06/2008, 01:16 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	One negative impact that I can think of is that it is a calcium hog, so you will have to pay closer attention to your levels. As for the benefits, it looks neat. I don't think it is very good at nutrient export compared to other macros. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/06/2008, 01:46 PM	#4
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	The good part is that it forms a nice compact algae and has a desirable shape. Bad part is it sometimes produces massive spore outbreaks and can make a mess of the water. If havested it is a good algae IMO and the spores can be removed by a canister filter. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/06/2008, 07:22 PM	#6
ultimatemusky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: wisconsin Posts: 462	Thank you for the input it is only in my fuge for right now. They are under low light 24/7 along with cheato & live rock/sand. __________________ Goooz--Frabba........Ok, that didn't work I'm still ticked off. Current Tank Info: 75 gal w/lps, zoas, shrooms, RO/DI, 500watt halide+ 108watt t5, 1500+gph flow, 10g fuge w/chaeto/rubble rock, 10gal sump w/rock, 125#'s+ live rock, 3.5" sand bed, 40 gal breeder frag tank w/250 watt halide & 192 watts actinic pc's

12/06/2008, 09:31 PM	#7
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	Here is a pic of my first tank, a 29 gallon that has been upgraded to a 58. I had quite a bit of Halimeda growing in it. I never had a problem with it releasing spores, as far as I know. I still have some in my 58 gallon, though not as much. I have had it pop up in new places in the tank, but I find it relatively easy to remove if I don't like where it is growing. I don't have a sump/fuge, and I presume that it helps take up nitrates and phosphates. I like the way it looks in the tank also. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

12/06/2008, 01:22 PM	#3
saltylife1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: columbia, md Posts: 83	definately sucks up calcium. i had some growing on a piece of liverock in my tank. it slowly started to spread on that rock into more stalks or branches. i would pull it off so i couldn't see anymore of it....a week later i could see it starting to grow again. i finally pulled the rock and threw it away.

12/06/2008, 03:21 PM	#5
johnmaloney Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 349	Pros: looks coold removes nitrates and phosphates Cons: uses calcium. May cost up to $3 in calcium a year, maybe $5 - may go sexual if not cared for, not too big of a problem with this algae though.