Macro Algea

[loren_gregory]

I have a 55 gal with a Fluval 406 that has been up for 7 months. It;s has several corals and a fair amount of live rock.
I don't have room for a refugium and would like to put some macro algae in the tank, preferably something that looks good. However, my fish including a yellow tank and coral beauty would eat most algae. I know about shaving brush, maidens hair and Chaetomorpha aka Chaeto, but I would prefer something in red or violet.
Any suggestions. I like dragons breath, but I', afraid my tang would decimate it.

 

[RobZilla04]

The macro will likely take over the tank if you put it directly in the display.

 

[mcgyvr]

There are plenty of "display safe" macro algaes..
But you also as you stated have a fish that eats it readily...
Then you want something red too...

but
http://live-plants.com/bryothamnion.htm
and a few more from there may be alright..

I'm not sure how generic a tangs appetite really is though..
They will eat dragons breath and probably anything red/soft/leafy..

Just avoid any algae with runners/shoots that will spread/get locked into the rockwork,etc.. and potentially take over..

 

[HermitTheCrab]

I have a ball of Chaetomorpha that i have kept in the main display for a few years now....its so easy to remove...when it gets large ..just resize it...and it grows fast..looks good.

 

[loren_gregory]

I had a Halimeda and it helped with the nitrates and the tang didn't touch it. It didn't spread and did well, but in my zeal to control a green hair outbreak, it killed it.
Not all macros grow really fast.

 

[loren_gregory]

Macro algae

Macro algae

Thanks. I'm checking it out!