macroalgae: which is best?

[michika]

I'm trying to decide on what type of macro algae to add to my refugium. Currently I have Cheato, but was thinking of adding something else.

I've been looking around and have found both red and lilac macro and am now curious.

What is considered to be the best macro algae? Is one species better overall or should I be going for a mixture of different types?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I love the look of red halimenia but its a sometimes finicky macro. If it likes your tank, it'll grow like a weed. If it doesn't, it'll melt away to nothing. Another fuge macro that I really like is Prolifera. Looks like little sword plants.

Anthony

[michika]

Good to know.

Thank you.

Do you know what makes the malimenia finicky? Water quality?

[vanreefer]

red halimenia is a big calcium consumer from what I have heard

[michika]

As in big like a SPS colony?

[vanreefer]

nah... Big like plant
i don't think it has that much of an impact... could be a consideration if there was no ca reactor and you were supplimenting

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Red halimenia is a soft macroalgae, while green halimeda is a calciferous hard plant.

I found that red halimenia likes to have high iodine levels, because if I didn't supplement iodine regularly, it started to fade. (usually used Lugol's solution)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/SeaHorse_Fanatic/Yellowfemale.jpg

Here's an old pic of some red halimenia with my little seahorse hanging on.

Anthony

[vanreefer]

I sit corrected :mrgreen:

[michika]

Cool!

Thanks guys.

The picture is adorable too!

What kind of growth rate did you see with the red? Any adverse effects?

[StirCrazy]

As in big like a SPS colony?

actualy as in bigger than a SPS colony, it grows fast when the conditions are right and consumes a ton of Ca.

Steve

[michika]

Good to know. I already have quite a few SPS and LPS that are doing a good job of sucking my system dry.

Overall is the red hamlimenia or the green halimeda hard to care for or is it just like cheato? Toss it in, give it some light and watch it grow?

[WWWD]

what are you trying to achieve with your fuge? if it's nutrient export then halamdia isn't a great choice as it's a fairly slow grower compared to grape or flat razor caulerpa. there a littlery tons of different types of very pretty macros you can grow in your fuge. rc has a whole forum dedicated to macros, its worth checking out.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=79ef5e5e72eb64c552e0e094e71e72c 7&forumid=176

[michika]

Thank you!

I'm just trying to acheive a healthy balance of nutrient export, an area for copepods to breed/grow, and something asethetically appealing, as our refugium is visible.

[Cap'n]

Green halimedia definately requires more care than chaeto. Mine keeps dying every time I try some but I can't kill my chaeto.

[Murminator]

I have wild halimedia growing in my tank when everything is good it grows like a weed but when some parameters are out wack they are the 1st ones to show they turn white and die but they always come back. I like it kinda like a early warning system :cool:

[Snappy]

Good to know.

Thank you.

Do you know what makes the malimenia finicky? Water quality?
I have a bunch of the red stuff in 3 different tanks and I am always trimming it back as it does grow like a weed. You can get some from me when you come to the frag meeting on the 14th in Calgary.

[michika]

That would be really great if I could. Thanks Snappy!