Nori vs Macroalgae?!

[ChadRaay86]

I've been having phosphate troubles for a while now and I've tracked it back to my feeding habits. I have a number of large tangs that love Nori. I used to feed 1-2 3x8 sheets of Nori every day. I have cut back substantially, but I still worry that my phosphates are being affected by this use of Nori.

In doing preliminary research on the topic of Nori and phosphates, I found a conversation regarding the difference between Macro and Nori, with Macro being far better for the fish. I found Julian Sprung's two little fishies algae stuff and was wondering if this is the way to go? I'm open to suggestions, but for what I pay for Nori now, it's not too bad of a price jump to go with sprung's stuff. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to a good Nori replacement?

I'm honestly a bit worried because I have a nice 6 inch Naso that will only eat Nori or live brine and I think I'm doing him a disservice nutritionally
Also, looking for suggestions on a low phosphate pellet/flake food to be a partial replacement for the mysis and rods food I feed at the moment, purely due to phosphate worries.

Thanks for the help!

***Mods, feel free to move this if its in the wrong forum***

 

[woodnaquanut]

I'd take a different approach. Instead of reducing food, increase cleanup. More water changes, more skimming, ATS, GFO, etc.

As a very wise aquarist said, You wouldn't not feed your dog just because you don't want to scoop the poop!

I have no idea if live macro is better than nori. Fish seem to do fine on nori.

Great pic of really cute nori thief, btw.

 

[ChadRaay86]

Haha, thanks! We have three nori thieves now as he taught our two yellow lab pups to love the stuff

I still run a large amount of phosphate removing media, biopellets and a huge skimmer, so I need to make a change somewhere in my feeding. I had read some pretty interesting article regarding nori and the fact that it wasn't exactly the healthiest thing and also that it was very high in phosphates...

 

[davocean]

I'd try adding spirulina and NLS pellets to your fishes diet.
Feeding things like live brine often spoils your fish into only wanting live, hope you can break that habit.
Live macro is awesome of course if you can grow enough.

 

[stunreefer]

Are the Phosphate levels you see producing any bad results? You mentioned, "phosphate worries", making me think you're seeing high numbers in test results, but there has been considerable evidence as of late that PO4 levels aren't all they're cracked up to be (see recent Skeptical Reefkeeping article by Rich Ross and Chris Jury). If corals look good (I'm assuming you have corals based on your sig) I wouldn't change a thing. I suspect you'll see little to no change in PO4 levels based on switching type of 'algae food'.

I wouldn't reduce any food input, but maybe increase water changes. Sounds like you're already throwing the proverbial filtration book at the system.

 

[arnoldrew]

I thought nori WAS macroalgae (seaweed). Anyone care to enlighten me as to the difference?

 

[ChadRaay86]

I'd try adding spirulina and NLS pellets to your fishes diet.
Feeding things like live brine often spoils your fish into only wanting live, hope you can break that habit.
Live macro is awesome of course if you can grow enough.

I'll look into the NLS and spirulina. I feed the brine occasionally, just as a treat. All of my fish (with the exception of my Naso) will eat anything (including my fingers haha). I was thinking of trying some different types of flake/pellets to get him to expand his eating variety, but honestly this reminds me of my sister. She only ate macaroni and cheese and white bread for years lol

Are the Phosphate levels you see producing any bad results? You mentioned, "phosphate worries", making me think you're seeing high numbers in test results, but there has been considerable evidence as of late that PO4 levels aren't all they're cracked up to be (see recent Skeptical Reefkeeping article by Rich Ross and Chris Jury). If corals look good (I'm assuming you have corals based on your sig) I wouldn't change a thing. I suspect you'll see little to no change in PO4 levels based on switching type of 'algae food'.

I wouldn't reduce any food input, but maybe increase water changes. Sounds like you're already throwing the proverbial filtration book at the system.

They are to a degree. Not just from a phosphate level perspective, but also from a nutrient export perspective. I don't like chasing numbers, but this is one that has been consistently high and is most definitely the cause of some different types of algae.

I thought nori WAS macroalgae (seaweed). Anyone care to enlighten me as to the difference?

Apparently, not a lot. Nori is Macroalgae, but some people (and companies) market their stuff as more natural. Honestly, unless you harvest it yourself every day its not true "macro". I posted this question on another board and got a really good answer about how it was just a marketing gimmick and nothing more...