What Macroalgae will grow well under NO Lighting?

[taillonjohn]

...if any. Tks.

 

[taillonjohn]

bump. anyone know? tks

 

[reiverix]

I've grown chaeto in a 7g fuge under 15w of NO flourescents.

 

[coralnut99]

I've grow 3 caulerpa strains under NO's as well as 2 different chaeto strains. 24/7 lighting across the board. Havne't had a caulerpa crash in 4 maybe 5 years now.

 

[sunfishh]

Are you going to be using the algae for nutrient export taillonjohn? If so the more light the better.

 

[malsavant]

Is this for decoration? If so most caulerpa species might be ok depending on how much NO watts you got and maybe you caould get away with red grape algae. I've noticed that my red grape kelp does better under lower lighting. I've never tried NO but it grows in shaded areas in my tank so I am thinking it would do ok under NO.

 

[taillonjohn]

I am asking for 3 reasons:
1) decoration
2) nutrient export. this will be for seahorse tank, and I will have no skimmer
3) act as an anchor for the seahorses. so I think Chaeto is out, caulerpa I'll try, and I'll look into the red grape algae, I don't think I've seen it for sale.

Tks for the input.

PS - I miss Steve Irwin too

 

[coralnut99]

The only thing to keep in mind with any caulerpa species is the tendency to "go sexual" meaning it will basically go to mush and release a mess of spores into the tank. It's something you should at least be aware of. I keep mixed macros in all 3 of my refugiums and haven't had such an experience in several years. Just maintain stable water parameters (including temp.), and a consistant lighting schedule and you should have no problems along those lines. Since it's meant to be both decorative as well as functional in your case, don't shy away from adding a ball of Chaetomorpha form an established tank whenever possible, as this will most likely carry a bunch of pods that will keep the horses occupied if not better fed.

 

[malsavant]

I think if you want to use the macroalgae for nutrient export as well you should use pc's. NO in my opinion will not be enough for serious macroalgae growth and if you are not running a skimmer, you will need serious macroalgae growth, unless you plan on changing your water twice a week. Also, larger seahorse species will prefer something more solid than macroalgae like gorgonia to anchor on. What species seahorse are you keeping? I highly recommend using some skimming as seahorses will require lots of food and produce lots of waste.