40 gallon breeder macroalgae tank

[Brad1215]

Alright title says it all haha
I've never set up a tank dedicated to macroalgae so I'm going to give it a shot.
Tank is full of water as we speak. No sump. Hang on back refugium for chaeto(not sure I need it but I think it will be good for extra pods)
I know I want a Mandarin (please don't go off on a tangent about blah blah blah. This isn't my first tank I know what it takes to keep a mandarin ill buy pods by weekly if I need to)
Besides that I don't know about live stock.
I would like suggests on livestock and how to set up for success from people that have macro algae tank (more then just a nice sump haha. )

Anyway all advice is welcome

 

[Labridaedicted]

Star clear of caulerpa for a macro tank. Unless you want a caulerpa tank.[emoji43]

That stuff grows like wildfire and if your unfortunate enough for it to go sexual, you're whole tank will be covered. Other than that, macro tanks are sweet, can't wait to see it.

Also don't filter it too heavily, those plants are going to need the nutrients.

 

[Brad1215]

Well what Marcos are some favorites?
What substrate would be fine? I imagine sand would be good?
And for filtration I was only planning on a powerhead and whatever I'm going the do with the hang on back refuge. Not decided yet

 

[ReeferReefer]

Not sure what the point of a HOB fuge is in a macro tank. I'd go with an HOB skimmer or a place to run Carbon. Sand is fine.

 

[Brad1215]

Well the point on the hang on back refugium is because I don't want to put chaeto directly in the tank as far as it goes right now this tank will not have this skimmer

 

[ReeferReefer]

Well I was thinking that with a variety of macro, chaeto should not be needed. I like Dragons Breath as far as macros go but I'm no expert. Planting sea grass in the sand can be great as well.

 

[Brad1215]

See that's the kind of feedback I am looking for I have never had macroalgae besides Chaeto algae.

I tried dragon's breath one time and it did not work out but that was in my display tank probably two months into the hobby for me

 

[Esquire805]

Go for halimeda you will need good calcium and magnesium and alkalinity but it is easy not all caulerpa grows quickly hmm chaeto I would leave out mermaids fan is cool shaving brush