macro algaes

[beefchicken31]

Sorry about all my questions, but after nixing seagrass and widgeon grass off my list I have moved on to macro algae.

Will macro algae be eaten by snails or hermits?
Will macro algae outcompete micro algaes?
Will macro algae need dosing of ferts or similar?
Will 4.5 watts per gallon be enough to support any macros?
What are some of the hardy species?
What are some of the species most adapt to cooler waters?
Will macros eliminate nitrate or phosphate?

 

[bluenassarius]

Will macro algae be eaten by snails or hermits?
mexican turbos are known to eat macro. i've seen zebra hermits pick at macroalgae also.

Will macro algae outcompete micro algaes?
it should..

Will macro algae need dosing of ferts or similar?
it depends on your system...can you tell us what you plan on keeping in there?

Will 4.5 watts per gallon be enough to support any macros?
that should be plenty of light... alot of the reds don't need that much light..

What are some of the hardy species?
most of em are hardy. the finicky ones are red gracilaria, halimeda (can be also)... those are the two that come to mind right now. i'll add more later..

What are some of the species most adapt to cooler waters?
i've had them growing w/o heaters in the winter and tthe weather was around 30 degrees..

Will macros eliminate nitrate or phosphate?
yes, they help export it...

 

[beefchicken31]

Thanks blue! I want to keep a small dwarf seahorse tank, 2.5 gallons, no skimmer, PC fixture, no LR for the horses saftey but a mini HOB azoo palm.

 

[beefchicken31]

>What are some of the species most adapt to cooler waters?
i've had them growing w/o heaters in the winter and tthe weather was around 30 degrees..

What was the temperature of the tank water? I plan on keeping DSH and they appreciate cooler temperatures around 73 degrees. If the tank temperature drops to about 67 degrres will most macros be fine?

 

[Samala]

Perfectly fine at 67F. This isnt a terribly uncommon winter time temperature in a subtropical, and even a tropical, region. Nearly all the available macro's I can think of that I've worked with would be just fine, most seagrasses included. You would need to look into specifically temperate climate or coldwater alga when you start getting into 45 - 55F temperatures.

>Sarah

 

[bluenassarius]

the temp in the water was under 50 degrees for sure. the tank was next to the window in the winter.. i even had some good growth w certain types of macro.
from my experience, macros can stand alot of cold temps as opposed to the heat...
IE, no probs w/ shipping in the winter .. whereas in the summer, the macro gets literally cooked if there isn't an icepack w/ it in transit. hth

 

[GreshamH]

Will macro algae outcompete micro algaes?

Depends on which micro. I've had a 2000g tank of gracilaria get taken over by a type of diatom. Had about 200-300lbs in it at the time, UV and ozone as well Obviously not using a great pass tru rate, but still none the less, it was getting blasted by 1500w's of UV :lol:

 

[beefchicken31]

thanks for all the help guys

 

[beefchicken31]

more questions:

What does it mean for a MA to go "sexual" and do all MA's do it?
What is a MA frag? Do frags come on a piece of LR?
Do MA's cling to rocks or do they need to be placed in the substrate?
How fast do MA's spread under high light?
In your opinion, how hard is it to maintain a "planted" macro tank?

 

[igotsalt]

More questions....different tank!
I want to grow plants in a 20 gal and raise copepods and amphipods. Currently I have calupera in a 20 long with fluorsecent lights using actinic bulbs from my fresh water tanks. It grows well, spreads and then areas of it get slimy. I Siphon bad areas out and use a diatom to clean tank water. Is my problem lack of light or not enough circulation? Can I get by using a different specialty bulb or will I have to get compacts? I want to raise food for my sleeper goby and mandarin. I have several empty 10 & 20 gal tanks, what "bugs" can I grow together and which plants are better hosts to my bugs? I will set-up seperate tanks if need to culture seperately. I will feed the excess algae to my sailfin! Blue seems to know the "green" stuff quite well! I am new to this site and have been reading the great information on others's experiences.