Halimeda Opuntia in a Reef Tank

[jdantunes]

Hi guys. I been keeping a reef tank for almost five years now. It's a mix reef but definitely a leather corals predominant tank.

I just got in some Halimeda Opuntia that I ordered from Gulf Coast Ecosystems and I wanted to know if you can just place it on the sand or does it has to be glue into a rock?

First time that I use macros in my tank. Can you please also share good advise in what to do and not do on macro algae keeping.

Thank you.

 

[BlueCat1949]

Halimeda can be a real pest for three reasons:

1. it is a calcified algae so it takes a lot out of your system.
2. Under the right conditions it can grow very fast and and cover all the rocks in your tank, see photo of my 70 tall tank 36 x 15 x31 tall.
3. it can go sexual and make a mess of your tank. First it turns white and then releases all it chlorophyll which can make your tank crash.

If you decide to put it in your system you must keep it from spreading and keep an eye out if the plant start to look white with green dots you need pull it. The plants do look whiter when you turn on the lights but they should not be white after your lights have been on for an hour or so.

 

[jdantunes]

Thank you so much for your reply, bluecat1949. I seen your macro tank and looks amazing.

I got a couple questions now...

- When you suggest to keeping it from spreading, you mean trimming it? And how do you do that? Just using scissors I guess...

- I'll keep and eye over it for now. Meanwhile what other non palatable macro will you recommend to be used in a reef aquarium that will be less of a pest or threat?

 

[Subsea]

In moderation, I find it attractive.

What fish do you have that you are looking for non palpable macro?
J
Why would you not want your fish to graze on macro algae?

 

[jdantunes]

I also like the look of this macro. Hopefully I can grow it out with not much complications. I'm ok if it needs trimming or fragging. I'm already doing it to my tri color cloves, just to keep it from spreading.

As for fish goes I got a yellow tang, kole yellow eye tang, starry blenny and the rest of them I believe are mostly carnivores. I guess you're right... I should not worry about them grazing on this macro. Right?

 

[BlueCat1949]

Thank you so much for your reply, bluecat1949. I seen your macro tank and looks amazing.

I got a couple questions now...

- When you suggest to keeping it from spreading, you mean trimming it? And how do you do that? Just using scissors I guess...

- I'll keep and eye over it for now. Meanwhile what other non palatable macro will you recommend to be used in a reef aquarium that will be less of a pest or threat?

The pic I posted is a couple of dozen plants each growing from a single holdfast. If your plant grows larger that is fine but if new plants start popping up you can simply pull them from the rock and get rid of them. No need to trim really just keep an eye on them so they don't melt down.

I wasn't saying that it isn't attractive or it's undesirable just that you have to keep an eye on it and check your calcium levels.

 

[Subsea]

I have a macro lagoon with corals and tangs. The tangs graze heavily on macro keeping it trimmed.

 

[Devaji108]

In moderation, I find it attractive.

What fish do you have that you are looking for non palpable macro?
J
Why would you not want your fish to graze on macro algae?

hey subsea, not to highjack the thread but are you macro attached to the glass?