macro algae in display tank?

chirojosh · 09/17/2007, 05:56 PM

Hi, Im thinking of putting some macro algae in my 75G Fowlr. Its and aggressive tank, will have a picasso trigger, SFE, and a small school of chromis. I like the lok of have nice macro in the tank plus I figure it will help with nutrient export. My question is what type should I look at, and how much light do I need. I have this light fixture(didnt plan on having plants before)

http://www.petsolutions.com/Current-...01001+C33.aspx

its the single 48" it has (2) 65w "smartpaq bulbs" or something. Not sure if this is enough light or not. Any ideas. I dont have a sump, and dont want to set up a fuge. Thanks

Chibils · 09/17/2007, 06:01 PM

That should be more than enough. Look at chaetomorpha, it's cheap, popular, and it grows like a weed. Can't really think of any downsides other than having to trim it down a lot.

chirojosh · 09/17/2007, 06:32 PM

im reading on WWM that it needs like 5 watts per gallon, is this ture, would I be able to grow anything useful with 130W in my 75g. If not just may have to do water changes profanity removed, not fun

Aquarist007 · 09/17/2007, 07:05 PM

water changes are a fact of reefing---you have to do them and do them regularily.
You could grow cheato algae in your main tank---but you have to harvest it occasionaly(remove some) other wise the nitrates are not removed from your water column.
cheato can also clog powerheads, filters overflows etc etc

Have you considered setting up a separate refugium for growing cheato?

bertoni · 09/17/2007, 07:09 PM

That lamp should grow plenty of Chaetomorpha, in my experience, as long as the fish don't eat it.

Removing every trace of Chaetomorpha might be some work, though, if you get tired of it.

Aquarist007 · 09/18/2007, 09:44 PM

Have a look at the pictures in this thread:
I am using a 25 watt energy saver on 24/7
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1207565

09/17/2007, 05:56 PM	#1
chirojosh Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 229	macro algae in display tank? Hi, Im thinking of putting some macro algae in my 75G Fowlr. Its and aggressive tank, will have a picasso trigger, SFE, and a small school of chromis. I like the lok of have nice macro in the tank plus I figure it will help with nutrient export. My question is what type should I look at, and how much light do I need. I have this light fixture(didnt plan on having plants before) http://www.petsolutions.com/Current-...01001+C33.aspx its the single 48" it has (2) 65w "smartpaq bulbs" or something. Not sure if this is enough light or not. Any ideas. I dont have a sump, and dont want to set up a fuge. Thanks

09/17/2007, 06:01 PM	#2
Chibils halide loyalist Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sugar Hill, GA Posts: 2,213	That should be more than enough. Look at chaetomorpha, it's cheap, popular, and it grows like a weed. Can't really think of any downsides other than having to trim it down a lot. __________________ always learning Current Tank Info: 75G new world cichlid, 25G reef in planning

09/17/2007, 06:32 PM	#3
chirojosh Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 229	im reading on WWM that it needs like 5 watts per gallon, is this ture, would I be able to grow anything useful with 130W in my 75g. If not just may have to do water changes profanity removed, not fun Last edited by bertoni; 09/17/2007 at 07:07 PM.

09/17/2007, 07:05 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	water changes are a fact of reefing---you have to do them and do them regularily. You could grow cheato algae in your main tank---but you have to harvest it occasionaly(remove some) other wise the nitrates are not removed from your water column. cheato can also clog powerheads, filters overflows etc etc Have you considered setting up a separate refugium for growing cheato? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/17/2007, 07:09 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That lamp should grow plenty of Chaetomorpha, in my experience, as long as the fish don't eat it. Removing every trace of Chaetomorpha might be some work, though, if you get tired of it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/18/2007, 09:44 PM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Have a look at the pictures in this thread: I am using a 25 watt energy saver on 24/7 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1207565 __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock