macro algae and reef tanks

[Lrood]

Are there any macro algae that would work in a reef tank, say on the back side of the rockwork, etc? My tank setup and stand does not allow room for a refugium. I'm not certain if there are varieties that my tang and blenny would leave alone. Anyone have any thoughts on this, or tried this before?

Ken

 

[piercho]

Brittle Halimeda - H. opuntia - is a prostrate, rock-associated alga that is too calcified for most grazers and easily controlled, IME. Andrey Ospin makes good use of it - its the green alga filling in between his coral.

 

[o2zen]

my LFS has a BC29 Reef Setup with this awesome red bush that I thought was coral or something and they informed me was macro algae. I am new to this so I hope this is what you meant. It was great looking in the tank with all of the other corals. They would not sell me a piece of it since it was already split so many times by the employees.

 

[Lrood]

Thanks for the info - I really like the look of that tank in the link (Andrey Ospin's). I'll have to see if I can find some Halimeda locally.

 

[piercho]

Brittle Halimeda is relatively common. It is very calcified (brittle) and has smaller fronds compared to most other common Halimeda. It grows in a compact clump close to the rock.

 

[kypatriot]

Could you fit a small in-tank refugium, or one of the CPR hang-on kind? Then you could grow a macro that your fish could eat when you thin it out.

The small in-tank ones are about $40-60. Then hang-ons are more, but might be a good option for your tank.

I have some long-feather caulerpa in my 135, and my yellow tang won't touch it. It's been there 8 months, and hasn't gotten out of control yet. I rip out the parts that start to spread beyond where I want it to stay.