Setting up macro tank questions.

[ThatFishEnjoyer]

Hello,
I'm in the process of setting up what will be a 55 gallon macroalgae tank, and was wondering if there is any specific salt that I should use that will give me the best chance, or if it doesn't even matter. Salt like Natural salt water, red sea coral pro, instant ocean, etc.

And any tips or advice for macros in general would be appreciated.

 

[Dan_P]

Hello,
I'm in the process of setting up what will be a 55 gallon macroalgae tank, and was wondering if there is any specific salt that I should use that will give me the best chance, or if it doesn't even matter. Salt like Natural salt water, red sea coral pro, instant ocean, etc.

And any tips or advice for macros in general would be appreciated.

Water from the ocean can work but most would probably opt for artificial seawater as a way to ensure pollution-free water.

Growing macro algae shouldn’t be difficult given that it is a pest in most saltwater aquaria. You will know that your care is not quite right when cyanobacteria grows on the algae surfaces.

 

[vlangel]

I have a 56 gallon display tank with a lot of macroalgae. I use regular instant ocean for salt. I do add iron occasionally if it looks like the macroalgae is not as lush or growing as fast as I think it should. Also i run my nitrates at 30 or more and my phosphates are .5ppm, which is pretty high for most reef tanks. My soft coral and even some LPS are ok with it however.

 

[strich]

I would highly recommend having a browse over at Everyday Aquarist's macroalgae series - He is one of the best in the hobby and has fantastic videos on the subject.

Please do post a build thread if you ever do it - I think macro algae is underserved in this hobby.

 

[twentyleagues]

Hello,
I'm in the process of setting up what will be a 55 gallon macroalgae tank, and was wondering if there is any specific salt that I should use that will give me the best chance, or if it doesn't even matter. Salt like Natural salt water, red sea coral pro, instant ocean, etc.

And any tips or advice for macros in general would be appreciated.

First question have you kept saltwater before?
Any salt will be fine, I use reef crystals for my reef tanks. Regular instant ocean will work well also. Both are readily available. Macros need everything a coral needs to thrive more food typically and some increased micros like iron, potassium but typically they do fine if you have fish and feed the fish. I have in the past had display macro refugiums and currently have a section of my sump as a refugium ( trying to keep it display also). Typically with standard reef levels these display fuges do fine a tank of only macros may need some "tweaking" depending on bioload. Best to find people keeping macro only tanks and see what they dose to keep everything happy and what the bioload is. Obviously some fish and inverts will not work as they will eat or just destroy the macros, angles, tangs, some blennies, crabs, and some snails.

 

[strich]

Obviously some fish and inverts will not work as they will eat or just destroy the macros, angles, tangs, some blennies, crabs, and some snails.

In your experience do you find that really any one of those listed animals can devastate a refuge of macro on its own? I'd love to keep both macro AND those sorts of animals and I was hoping that with good feeding there would be a balance to strike between letting them eat some macro but not all of it.

 

[twentyleagues]

In your experience do you find that really any one of those listed animals can devastate a refuge of macro on its own? I'd love to keep both macro AND those sorts of animals and I was hoping that with good feeding there would be a balance to strike between letting them eat some macro but not all of it.

Depends on the animal. Most angels and tangs yes, some crabs for sure, not usually snails but some macros are more at risk then others too. Most macros that have a calcareous body will be safe from being eaten but could still be broken.

 

[twentyleagues]

Just remember fish, crabs, and to some extent shrimp are jerks.

 

[Katrina71]

I would expect minimal consumption of macro by a tailspot blenny. I have only had them eat film algae on glass. Mine always prefer meaty foods.