What's a good macroalgae for my display tank that'll help reduce nitrates.

[DJasak]

Hey guys, just as the title says, I'm looking for a nice looking macroalgae that I can put in my display tank and not take over the tank, but also help absorb nitrates. I have a couple coral frags and I plan on making my tank a full blown reef so I can't have anything that spreads and grows like wildfire. The 2 I had in mind that I like the asthetics(sp?) Of are turtle weed and dragons breath but I don't know much about them. Any other suggestions would be great! Thanks for any replies!

 

[FinzAquatics]

Hey guys, just as the title says, I'm looking for a nice looking macroalgae that I can put in my display tank and not take over the tank, but also help absorb nitrates. I have a couple coral frags and I plan on making my tank a full blown reef so I can't have anything that spreads and grows like wildfire. The 2 I had in mind that I like the asthetics(sp?) Of are turtle weed and dragons breath but I don't know much about them. Any other suggestions would be great! Thanks for any replies!

Well first I'd like to ask

Livestock?
Lighting?

What do you have?

 

[DJasak]

45 gallon tank
Fluval 30" LED pro
HOB filter
Yellow coris wrasse
Hoeven's wrasse
Ocellaris clown
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
1 Fiji damsel
Emerald green crab
Assorted snails and Hermit crabs

 

[DJasak]

I am thinking about redoing my live stock for this tank tho and the fish I have in mind are 2 banggai cardinals, 1 ocellaris clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 firefish, 1 six line wrasse, and 2 blue green chromis

 

[lifeoffaith]

Your emerald crab would probably help keep the algae mowed down, the key would be starting with enough that he can't take it all down. I know they won't eat certain types though, not sure which of those two. Also keep in mind that if you plan on keeping zoas that your emerald may try eating them. Mine developed a taste for them anyway.

 

[FinzAquatics]

I agree that the emerald might be an issue, but it looks like you don't have any tangs or Angels which will open up your macro options

Graciliaria Hayi, graciliaria mammaris, halimeda, red razor bryothamnion are a few basic, easy to care for types that would decent for a display tank. They are not terribly invasive and pretty much stay were you want them.

 

[DJasak]

Thanks for the replies! I didn't realize that the emerald can become an issue. I really like him and haven't had any issues as of yet (knock on wood) but if he eats the zoa it's no big deal it's a small frag that I got almost a year ago and it hasn't grown much at all. Don't think I would get another zoa after the experience I've had with this one. Thank you for the suggestions I'll have to look at the plants you guys recommended and pick which one or 2 I like

 

[DJasak]

i really like the Gracilaria Hayi, and i wanted to add a green macro as well, what do u think about shaving brush? i want something easy and that isn't going to spread like i said before. I also forgot to mention before i have a pink pincushion urchin.

 

[FinzAquatics]

Shaving brush would do fine pending calcium levels.