Macroalgaes

[Chibils]

What can you tell me about these in specific? I'm placing an order from reefcleaners for mangroves (my favorite plants) and saw some very interesting macro... I'm quite a fan, but after reading about dictyota a while back, I'm kind of scared.

Christmas Tree
Flame Algae
Halymenia
Laurencia
Pink Galaxy

 

[dzeadow]

I'm having a lot of luck with christmas tree/pencil caps/spatulas, especially with new growth, I have a ton of sprouts in my tanks. Laurencia is doing good as well, although didn't start as well. My pink galaxy is coming around, but is a slow grower. I have 0 luck with flame algae or fire fern, for some reason they don't like my set up. Never tried halymenia. What about dictyota have you heard and are scared of? My hermits and clean up crews ate the last frags I had of the stuff. Any specific questions about those algaes? John's a great guy to work with over there, fast responses with emails too.

 

[Chibils]

I was getting ready to order it when I coincidentally stumbled on a post talking about their tank being overrun with dictyota, I looked into it and it scared me. Tons of people have trouble with it hitchhiking and simply can't get rid of it no matter what they do.

 

[Psychographic]

John at Reefcleaners is a VERY honest guy, if you ask him any question regarding his products, you will get the proper answer.

He will not lie to you just to make a sale and don't be afraid to ask him anything.

 

[dzeadow]

the dictyota he sells there is supopsedly the non invasive kind, he actually has two kinds now, the brown/yellow, and the red

 

[Chibils]

Thanks guys.

 

[johnmaloney]

the kind of dictyota you should worry about is iridescent dictyota. A real pest. It creeps along the rock and can be hard to manually remove. other types of dictyota shoot up from a single holdfast, and do not creep. They are easily removes and grow upwards rather than low lying all over your tank. Some macros can be pests, others aren't. really depends on the species.

 

[arc eye]

been fighting dictyota for a while now, I would be very wary of any of the dictyota species

 

[johnmaloney]

It really depends on the species. If you are worried don't get it, but the kinds that creep along the rock, are the problem. The species that grow up from a single conspicuous holdfast are not problematic.