Macroalgae as landscaping & food source

[Chasmodes]

I'm planning a large FOWLR Caribbean/Florida near biotope (as much as possible) and want to have a queen angelfish as my centerpiece fish. I also was thinking about having 3 Atlantic blue tangs as well and perhaps a pygmy angel. Those will be my primary herbivores and I was wondering what macroalgae would do well in the display tank. I'd like to have some in a refugium as well, but was wondering if there are ample amounts of varying types of these plants would that provide a replenishing veggie food source for those fish and perhaps thrive in the tank as well? Or, would the fish simply eat all of them. Are there some species that those fish would leave alone for display sake or would I have to grow the macro in the fuge and keep placing it in the tank as food? Would caulerpa be a good option, fast growing enough to survive the tangs and angels?

Also, what about turtle grass (Thalassia)? How would that fare in a display or is that only a fuge option?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Chasmodes]

Well, I was hoping for some input on this, perhaps I'm in the wrong forum with this topic.

I'm thinking that I'll need a larger fuge than I first had planned for this. I was hoping that I could keep some of the macros alive in the main display but them more that I think about it they will probably be decimated by my fish. Perhaps Halimeda will be OK in the display. Does anyone here have experience with it and queen angels and tangs? I'm hoping that if I can keep other food sources plentiful for them that they may prefer that the Halimeda would be OK...

 

[rich_tilbury]

I only have experience of pygmy angels and macro algae. I have Caulerpa Prolifera (?sp) which the pygmy angel happily shreds. I grow it in the refugium and put some into the display tank as a treat.

Caulerpas are fast growing, esp with good light and high nutrients, but with a heavy herbivore load I'd suspect you'd have a bare tank pretty quickly. However, growing it in the fuge and moving excess to the display tank regularly is good recycling of nutrients IMO.

Be interesting to see how you do.

 

[Samala]

Now that's interesting, my pygmy angel has been a model planted tank citizen, she leaves Enteromorpha, Ulva, Caulerpa prolifera, Halymenia, Sargassum, bits of a Botryocladia like alga and the seagrasses alone. She's crazy for mysid shrimps she finds, 'pods and algae flakes though. And the occassional spinach and lettuce leaf.

I would be concerned that the tangs would consume all the algae without restraint. For instance, I cant sit here and tell you that my angel has completely left the plants alone. I just know that whatever damage she may be doing isnt enough to be visible or detrimental to the plants. I'd think the tangs would mow the plants down, but I havent seen anyone try them with plants or macroalgae yet. You could be one of the firsts.

However.. calcerous alga like Halimeda, Udotea, Penicillus might fare better in a tank with herbivores like tangs. They are usually less palatable because of the calcium content. Parrotfish feel otherwise, but those arent on your list of candidates.

Finally, turtle grass / Thalassia testudinum isnt just for the 'fuge, it could be incorporated into the right display. Its needs just need to be met.. nutrients from either the water column or substrate (mud..), plenty of light and keeping nuisance algae in check so that it doesnt smother the seagrass.

>Sarah

 

[Chasmodes]

Thanks for the great responses, much appreciated!