Intrigued By Macroalgae & Plants But....

[JRoweNole]

I have a 6 and 1/2 year old 92 gallon established mixed reef tank with a LOW bio-load (only 4 fish & various inverts with the corals).

I want to set-up a 29 gallon separate refugium connected to my sump and tank that will house a variety of macroalgaes with live rock.

I am concerned that my low bio-load and neglible phosphate level will not sustain the macroalgaes. In turn, I will need to "feed" the tank more, potentially throwing my excellent water parameters off.

Am I off base? Can I still do this (of course with proper lighting and flow).

Thank you.

 

[graveyardworm]

With the macroalgae and the additional uptake of nutrients by having it there you will be able to feed alittle bit more. Start slowly so the nutrients dont come as a big shock to the system.

 

[Samala]

There seem to be quite a few macroalgae that coexist well in a relatively nutrient-poor environment of a captive reef. Genera like Gracilaria, Sargassum and Halimeda all spring to mind. With a little care these could be integrated and judiciously pruned to limit the potential for a sexual event.

I agree with David, go slow or any spikes in the system could set off a nuisance algae bloom. I'm not sure that you would need to feed the tank considerably more, unless the 29g becomes wall-to-wall macroalgae.

Having the algae tank be on the lower end of the light regime for macro may also help to keep the tank manageable. Lower light should mean slower growth, and potentially less risk for the algae to run out of available nutrients, effectively starve, and sporulate.

Just an idea.

>Sarah

 

[JRoweNole]

Thank you!