mangroves

[ngarcia11892]

ok so i have an algea issue i cant id what it is but thats not the point of the post haha i have in total 60 gallons in the system if i wanted to put mangroves to use to compete with the algea how many should i use? i have a decent bioload and a protein skimmer but algeas still growing. any idea? i tested my water but it says nitrates 0 phosphates .25 . thanks

 

[allabout]

I looked into this a bit and if I remember off the top of my head some places were saying about 1 per 10 gallons, so you'd be looking at 6+ I guess.

 

[bluwinghawk]

hi this is a response i got from steamer51 on plants hope this helps,
Do a search on Chaeto and you will see what it looks like. Fast growing for nutrient export without the problems that some other macro algaes can cause such as "going sexual". Calupera can release gametes and pollute your water if it chooses that way of reproducing. It is also very invasive and can take over your tank if pieces find their way into your display and get established which is why it it illegal to sell it in California. I have heard that mangroves can grow heavy, deep roots that can crack your tank bottom but have never kept them. The plant part grows out of the water and salt spray should be rinsed off with fresh water for mangrove health. There are many types of macros that don't grow as well as chaeto (slower nutrient export) but are very pleasant to look at. My personal favorite is Gracilaria, preferable the red variety. It is probably the favorite food of Tangs and many sell it for that purpose but if you grow it your harvest becomes free fish food instead of trading or selling the excess to fellow reefers. Do a search on "Macroalgae" and you will find many very nice looking plants to grow in your refugium although not as fast as chaeto. Read up on what you want since some remove calcium from your system to grow and that could be a problem if you keep SPS that use calcium also.