Miracle Mud/macroalgae question

[downbeach]

I'm waiting the arrival of a RR Oceanic 180 and an EcoSystem 3616 "Miracle Mud" fuge filter. I'm making a list and checking it twice and was hoping somone could suggest the best algae for this system. I was hoping to find something that would could be used as a treat for my tangs and would provide shelter for any resident animals in the fuge, i.e. pods, etc. The flow rate through the fuge is 1200gph and lighting will be 24/7. This is my first experience with a "sump" type filter and to me like a lot of water flow for the fuge and no cyclical photo period...but that is the EcoSystem methodology. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[piercho]

Caulerpa and Chaetomorpha are what you are most likely to run across in the hobby. Caulerpa prolifera is what I see grown in pics of many Ecosystem filters. Caulerpa anchors easily in mud, and there are several specie common in the hobby. Chaetomorpha is usually kept free-floating but can sometimes attach to hard surfaces. Neither of these genus is preferred graze for most herbivorous fish.

There are some red algae that perform well in vegetative filters and are grazed by many fish. Acanthophora spicifera is my favorite and is easy to grow. Anchors to hard surfaces, not to mud, though. Gracilaria can be grown tumbling or allow to mat across the substrate. Gracilaria (aka "Tang Heaven") is good food for many fish, and is fairly common in the hobby. I don't know of any source to buy Acanthophora from, but it is occassionally encountered on live rock. Acanthophora will outcompete most Caulerpa for nutrient uptake, IME. Gracilaria won't, IME.

A good green algae for fish food would be Ulva. I have not been able to cultivate Ulva in a low-nutrient environment, though.

 

[downbeach]

Thanks for the reply, I have been looking at Indo-Pacific Sea Farms and Inland Aquatics for both macroalgae and live sand activator. I am almost convinced that I will be going with the"Tang Heaven" but want to make sure I am getting the best plant to deal with keeping the tank healthy, as I am going to try the EcoSystem philosophy, i.e. not using a skimmer, will survive the provided flourescent lighting and recommended 1200-1500 gph flow through the fuge 36" x 16" x 18".