Macro options for fuge

davidryder · 03/19/2007, 09:54 PM

I just got a fuge up and running and I have some macro in my frag tank that I am going to put in there:

I also ordered 7 mangroves:

I want to add some small pieces of live rock and I am looking for some ideas for some other type of macro that would look/function well.

This is the fuge:

drummereef · 03/19/2007, 10:06 PM

The only thing I personally would put in the fuge other than Chaeto is Halimeda. Chaeto is my first and safest choice. But that's just me....

Looks like a sweet setup.

davidryder · 03/19/2007, 11:39 PM

I like the halimeda... why is chaeto a safer choice? Or better yet why would you choose chaeto over grape caulerpa?

DrBegalke · 03/19/2007, 11:51 PM

i'd use chaeto too.

Questin · 03/20/2007, 12:30 AM

Chaeto is king. It out competes everything else, so having other types of macro does not last in some fuges. Also Chaeto does not go a sexual, so you will never see it blow up and turn your tank green.

clevername · 03/20/2007, 04:18 AM

Just FYI the mangroves are like the "cattails" of freshwater. This means they trap metals such as magnesium. If you plan on running a reef tank, your going to have to dose higher does of magnesium to off set this problem.

Also, FYI mangroves are VERY inefficient when it comes down to nutrient export. There basically for looks and in nature used for there rooting system.

Overland04 · 03/20/2007, 06:17 AM

I will second the chaeto....I have used for more than nutrient export. My LFS will buy the chaeto by the bag full for $15. I harvest a bag a week and they continue the credit. I havent paid for a coral in years!

alan214 · 03/20/2007, 07:07 AM

I use Feather Caulerpa and love it. I've had no issues with it at all. It grows very fast and looks nicer than the other macro's.

Some people don't like it because of the risk of it possibly going sexual but I've never had that happen in over 3 years.

davidryder · 03/20/2007, 09:46 AM

Well the mangroves came today and I ordered some chaeto today. I like that it doesn't go sexual

I got 2 different types (black and red). I'm not sure which will do better.

davidryder · 03/20/2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevername2000
Just FYI the mangroves are like the "cattails" of freshwater. This means they trap metals such as magnesium. If you plan on running a reef tank, your going to have to dose higher does of magnesium to off set this problem.

Also, FYI mangroves are VERY inefficient when it comes down to nutrient export. There basically for looks and in nature used for there rooting system.

You have to think my refugium is on display. It's right next to the main tank. So I did get the mangroves partly for looks, but they do have benefits... if I have to dose magnesium to keep them thriving I don't think I'll have a problem doing that... we dose calcium for corals, it's just something else that would be added to my automatic top-off/doser.

Frick-n-Frags · 03/20/2007, 10:14 AM

some people raise the red sea-lettuce types of algae, especially if they have vegan fish. (green sea lettuce too)

If you are just playing around with some plants, put a big variety in there. massive single populations tend to limit out on some key nutrient and crash or go sexual or whatever stress reaction they have. If you have a bunch of everything, no one type dominates and they all survive being forced to maintain a much smaller population. You also have to manage these plants, so if one seems like it is taking off on the rest, you have to harvest it back.

the other downside to various plants is this question:

What do you absolutely never want getting in to the main display?

algae crank out spores and can spread to every corner of your system.

Yes, even the chaeto keeps showing up in the main display for me. fortunately, it is one of the easiest to remove, so that goes a long way towards it being the ideal domesticated fuge algae.

davidryder · 03/20/2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Frick-n-Frags
some people raise the red sea-lettuce types of algae, especially if they have vegan fish. (green sea lettuce too)

If you are just playing around with some plants, put a big variety in there. massive single populations tend to limit out on some key nutrient and crash or go sexual or whatever stress reaction they have. If you have a bunch of everything, no one type dominates and they all survive being forced to maintain a much smaller population. You also have to manage these plants, so if one seems like it is taking off on the rest, you have to harvest it back.

the other downside to various plants is this question:

What do you absolutely never want getting in to the main display?

algae crank out spores and can spread to every corner of your system.

Yes, even the chaeto keeps showing up in the main display for me. fortunately, it is one of the easiest to remove, so that goes a long way towards it being the ideal domesticated fuge algae.

Thanks! I don't mind algae getting my display tank... at least green algaes! Sections of my sandbed mat over with green algaes and I occasionally find a mushroom or polyp rooting itself in it... kind of neat.

I like your philosophy on the variety, too. Like I mentioned the refugium is on display so it won't be hard for me to care for it as I do my main tank.

clevername · 03/20/2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davidryder
Well the mangroves came today and I ordered some chaeto today. I like that it doesn't go sexual

I got 2 different types (black and red). I'm not sure which will do better.

I think my next tank will have a "show" refugium. Its just so darn interesting to look at.

As for the mangroves (which i have only read about); i thought the top half (leaf part) has to be above water? NO?

Please keep the posts coming. I want to know if i should be using a bunch of different kinds of algae or should i just stick with the cheote.

joekr · 03/20/2007, 06:26 PM

Cool. I all ready found a vendor on ebay selling mangroves and I am going to be adding them to my fuge..what kind of lighting do you have in there?

davidryder · 03/20/2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by joekr
Cool. I all ready found a vendor on ebay selling mangroves and I am going to be adding them to my fuge..what kind of lighting do you have in there?

It's a 23w 50/50 bulb.

davidryder · 03/20/2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevername2000
I think my next tank will have a "show" refugium. Its just so darn interesting to look at.

As for the mangroves (which i have only read about); i thought the top half (leaf part) has to be above water? NO?

Please keep the posts coming. I want to know if i should be using a bunch of different kinds of algae or should i just stick with the cheote.

These are the first mangroves I have ever had. I'm sort of experimenting with them, but I have read that the leaves should be above the lights, or at least at fist in a dimmer light. I can't find a lot of info on them, that's why I bought the two types. If they start to decline I will try something different.

davidryder · 03/21/2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevername2000
I think my next tank will have a "show" refugium. Its just so darn interesting to look at.

As for the mangroves (which i have only read about); i thought the top half (leaf part) has to be above water? NO?

Please keep the posts coming. I want to know if i should be using a bunch of different kinds of algae or should i just stick with the cheote.

I didn't like the mangroves being completely submerged, so I added a wedged tray:

^^^ the water enters the tray from the right and exits from holes i drilled on the bottom and from the lip at the top.

It is wedged in place so I can lower it as the mangroves grow. I'm not sure about the little guys on the bottom. They are red mangroves. I'm thinking I should take them out and plant them in dirt until they get larger. Anyone else have experience with red mangroves?

Frick-n-Frags · 03/21/2007, 07:36 AM

Maybe go hang in the plant forum a little. there used to be some incredible planted tank pics there. I used to have one on my system, but now, if I do it again, it will be on its own little system.

03/19/2007, 09:54 PM	#1
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	Macro options for fuge I just got a fuge up and running and I have some macro in my frag tank that I am going to put in there: I also ordered 7 mangroves: I want to add some small pieces of live rock and I am looking for some ideas for some other type of macro that would look/function well. This is the fuge: __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

03/19/2007, 10:06 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	The only thing I personally would put in the fuge other than Chaeto is Halimeda. Chaeto is my first and safest choice. But that's just me.... Looks like a sweet setup. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/19/2007, 11:39 PM	#3
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	I like the halimeda... why is chaeto a safer choice? Or better yet why would you choose chaeto over grape caulerpa? __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

03/19/2007, 11:51 PM	#4
DrBegalke Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix area, AZ Posts: 2,599	i'd use chaeto too. __________________ ~Jason Begalke Current Tank Info: Latest project: JBJ Cubey

03/20/2007, 04:18 AM	#6
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	Just FYI the mangroves are like the "cattails" of freshwater. This means they trap metals such as magnesium. If you plan on running a reef tank, your going to have to dose higher does of magnesium to off set this problem. Also, FYI mangroves are VERY inefficient when it comes down to nutrient export. There basically for looks and in nature used for there rooting system. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

03/20/2007, 12:30 AM	#5
Questin Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 784	Chaeto is king. It out competes everything else, so having other types of macro does not last in some fuges. Also Chaeto does not go a sexual, so you will never see it blow up and turn your tank green.

03/20/2007, 06:17 AM	#7
Overland04 Wisher of the redo button Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Red Hook, NY Posts: 614	I will second the chaeto....I have used for more than nutrient export. My LFS will buy the chaeto by the bag full for $15. I harvest a bag a week and they continue the credit. I havent paid for a coral in years! __________________ What do you call a fish with no eye?....... ......... ......... ......... Fsh Current Tank Info: 75g Rimless

03/20/2007, 07:07 AM	#8
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	I use Feather Caulerpa and love it. I've had no issues with it at all. It grows very fast and looks nicer than the other macro's. Some people don't like it because of the risk of it possibly going sexual but I've never had that happen in over 3 years. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

03/20/2007, 09:46 AM	#9
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	Well the mangroves came today and I ordered some chaeto today. I like that it doesn't go sexual I got 2 different types (black and red). I'm not sure which will do better. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

03/20/2007, 10:14 AM	#11
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	some people raise the red sea-lettuce types of algae, especially if they have vegan fish. (green sea lettuce too) If you are just playing around with some plants, put a big variety in there. massive single populations tend to limit out on some key nutrient and crash or go sexual or whatever stress reaction they have. If you have a bunch of everything, no one type dominates and they all survive being forced to maintain a much smaller population. You also have to manage these plants, so if one seems like it is taking off on the rest, you have to harvest it back. the other downside to various plants is this question: What do you absolutely never want getting in to the main display? algae crank out spores and can spread to every corner of your system. Yes, even the chaeto keeps showing up in the main display for me. fortunately, it is one of the easiest to remove, so that goes a long way towards it being the ideal domesticated fuge algae. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

03/20/2007, 06:26 PM	#14
joekr Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 661	Cool. I all ready found a vendor on ebay selling mangroves and I am going to be adding them to my fuge..what kind of lighting do you have in there? __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef

03/21/2007, 07:36 AM	#18
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	Maybe go hang in the plant forum a little. there used to be some incredible planted tank pics there. I used to have one on my system, but now, if I do it again, it will be on its own little system. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB