Way too much macro algae in tank and tired of it. Grows like weeds....

[2000se]

Like the title states. Spreads everywhere. Constantly trimming. Fish not eating any of if.
I'm not running a skimmer which may be why it grows so quickly. Maybe I should get other kinds to grow with it??
I got this rock about 3 years ago from Florida. It had a bunch of algae on it when it came in

First got it in the tank..

Then it really died off fairly quickly.

Then about a year ago it has taken off..jeepers..BTW this is after 3 or 4 good trimmings since then. I trim it down to the rock every time and it grows back like this.
IDK.. someone tell me different... I am about to pull it out and trim the crap out of it. I am also about to add a skimmer to my sump.
Thoughts?

 

[Mikedawg]

Assume your nutrient levels are high; lower levels will slow growth.
BTW, I really like the natural look of it - many reefers would trade with you

 

[2000se]

I would agree that the nutrient levels are pretty high. Do you think adding a skimmer would destroy the growth? Or simply slow it down? I feed once daily. Small pinch of flake..and I run All-for-one so my Cal/Alk/Mg are rock solid..

 

[Mikedawg]

I would agree that the nutrient levels are pretty high. Do you think adding a skimmer would destroy the growth? Or simply slow it down? I feed once daily. Small pinch of flake..and I run All-for-one so my Cal/Alk/Mg are rock solid..

Depending on how big your skimmer is, etc. I would think it would lower nutrient levels. Of course by tuning your skimmer you also can lower nutrients to a level that supports the rate of growth you want.

 

[Double monti 61]

I think it looks great and I would just change it to a macro algae tank.

 

[2000se]

Next steps then…install skimmer, purchase various different kinds of macros to add color and textures?

 

[2000se]

Next steps then…install skimmer, purchase various different kinds of macros to add color and textures?

 

[dennis romano]

Sell it...$20 a bag.

 

[moorjames]

that last pic looks amazing!!

 

[SlugSnorter]

Like the title states. Spreads everywhere. Constantly trimming. Fish not eating any of if.
I'm not running a skimmer which may be why it grows so quickly. Maybe I should get other kinds to grow with it??
I got this rock about 3 years ago from Florida. It had a bunch of algae on it when it came in

First got it in the tank..

Then it really died off fairly quickly.

Then about a year ago it has taken off..jeepers..BTW this is after 3 or 4 good trimmings since then. I trim it down to the rock every time and it grows back like this.
IDK.. someone tell me different... I am about to pull it out and trim the crap out of it. I am also about to add a skimmer to my sump.
Thoughts?

you can remove the macro if you want, you can also get some slower growing stuff. In the end its about what you wanna do

 

[Grumblez]

Not sure which Macro that is but it looks nice and you could easily "frag" it up and sell for 10$+ per fist full

 

[Lyss]

I have some macroalgae in my DT and just prune it like I would with FW plants. I also run a skimmer and it still grows, but will slow a bit. Will also slow a bit under less intense lighting.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Next steps then…install skimmer, purchase various different kinds of macros to add color and textures?

 

[2000se]

Well shucks.. seems like you guys/gals have changed my view on this. Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Tamberav]

So pretty! If local I would buy that rock off you or trade.

 

[2000se]

To update here.. installed skimmer and did a major trim up. Here’s an update FTS.
I think it looks much better. All that algae was getting to be too much.

 

[NeedAReef]

Beautiful! I would be thrilled with that color and texture. Add a few mermaid fans or shaving brushes maybe halemdia(sp?) take it in a really neat direction.

 

[ReefHunter006]

I hear vibrant is popular nowadays!

Just kidding, don’t use it. It is a cool tank with the algae. Best of luck with next steps.

 

[Eric R.]

Like the title states. Spreads everywhere. Constantly trimming. Fish not eating any of if.
I'm not running a skimmer which may be why it grows so quickly. Maybe I should get other kinds to grow with it??
I got this rock about 3 years ago from Florida. It had a bunch of algae on it when it came in

First got it in the tank..

Then it really died off fairly quickly.

Then about a year ago it has taken off..jeepers..BTW this is after 3 or 4 good trimmings since then. I trim it down to the rock every time and it grows back like this.
IDK.. someone tell me different... I am about to pull it out and trim the crap out of it. I am also about to add a skimmer to my sump.
Thoughts?

Who did you buy the rock from?

 

[Subsea]

I get the same live rock from Gulf Live Rock.

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

[This rock is fully blanketed with colorful coralline algae's, these algae's come in multitudes of fascinating shades of purple, reds, oranges, peaches and yellows. Most rocks contain bryzoans,orange leather sponge,gracilaria algae,halimeda, sea grapes, cluster corals, and cup corals. All of our premium decorative live rocks contain seeded plant life,both macro and micro algae.All pieces are hand collected fresh from our gulf lease site by our diving staff and shipped directly to our customers.We do not use any chemicals in our process. The rocks pictured are for example only. All of our premium decorative live rock is as good or better than the rocks pictured.]

Last Easter, I started two ornamental seaweed tanks:
55G & 30G. There reefs were started bare bottom with 500 tons of Bryozone limestone in the 1990’s. The reefs are grazed heavily, so when you get the living rock, it not only seeds your tank with beneficial micro fauna & fana, it also grows a diversity of macro algae along with gorgonions and ornamental sponges.