Well that didn't work

[ebliss1]

Hi all. I tried adding some macroalgae for some variety in my tank and to lower my niotrates a bit. My LFS had some caulerpa which looked pretty good in my tank - for a couple hours. Then my hermit crabs decided it was tasty. Now I have some random bits floating about as my filter output and my powerhead blow around what the crabs let slip away.

Does anyone have suggestion as to what I could try next that my critters won't view as an expensive snack?

 

[scowar]

Macroalgaes should be placed in a refugium or sump, protected from things that will eat it. Plus you want to be able to control it's growth. I've seen posts from people who plant Caulerpa in their display tank and it starts to take over. It's a pain to remove from LR once it takes hold.

 

[Samala]

I second the idea to keep your refugium algae in an area where the hermits cant access it. You could try Caulerpa again, but its somewhat risky in reef tanks. A better algae for most reefers is Chaetomorpha, and its usually very easy to find local reefers with some to spare to start you out.

I think some herbivores will eat Chaetomorpha, but I'm not aware if hermit crabs typically consume it.

>Sarah