Need help setting up a Macroalgae tank

[Rdela568]

I want to set up a macroalgae tank. What nutrients would I need to keep it thriving and what light could I use. I have a blue damsel that I could put in to provide extra nutrients.

 

[Gary S]

It really falls down to type of algae. Most macros need a lot of calcium. Other stuff not as much so long as its present, besides light. Red, violet and green spectrums work the best. If price is not a huge deal, I'd suggest an AI Prime. I love the one I have. Small, and super versatile. Easy to set up timers and strength of individual LEDs on a device as well.

 

[Gary S]

Moderate flow is ultra important as well, to keep nutrients penetrating through the algea when its dense

 

[forgiven1973]

Have u set this up? If so how’s it doing? I’d like to set one up myself but have a lot of research to do and hoping I can find an adequate light that’s inexpensive

 

[sfin52]

I want to set up a macroalgae tank. What nutrients would I need to keep it thriving and what light could I use. I have a blue damsel that I could put in to provide extra nutrients.

6500k -10000k for light. Think of plants and you get it.

you need a full spectrum bulb. That's why 6500-10000k will work well .

 

[sfin52]

Getting my 55g ready for macro

 

[Subsea]

It really falls down to type of algae. Most macros need a lot of calcium. Other stuff not as much so long as its present, besides light. Red, violet and green spectrums work the best. If price is not a huge deal, I'd suggest an AI Prime. I love the one I have. Small, and super versatile. Easy to set up timers and strength of individual LEDs on a device as well.

Light drives intensity of photosynthesis but is the lesser of the requirements when comparec to nutrients and temperature. A very small percentage of macro is high in calcium. Because I grew Gracilario Parvispora for human consumption in 10K gallon greenhouse mariculture system, I had it analyzed for dry analysis.

In general, macro combines carbon:nitrogenhosphorus in the ratio of 560:30:1

Ward Lab Dey analysis of Red Ogo:

N 2.59%
P 0.082%
K 13.54%
Ca 0.555%
Mg 1.163%
S 4.81%
Zn 139 ppm
Fe 107 ppm
Mn 20 ppm
Cu 7 ppm

 

[forgiven1973]

On the cheaper end what lights would be good?

 

[Subsea]

On the cheaper end what lights would be good?

If looks are not important than grab a grow light with a 4:1 ratio of red:blue. If it is a display refugium, I like 10K to 12K. For economy get 5000 kelvin. As a rule, for deeper water > 24”, use larger W diodes of at least 2W to penetrate.

 

[Subsea]

At my level of involvement in this hobby, as an experiment, I put a 300W Mars Hydra growlight on top of a 2 liter HOB with a flow of 400 GPHR.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XC3LBI2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Or you might like this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAC7ZOC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[forgiven1973]

Ill keep all that in mind. I’ve never had a macro tank before. When I get around to setting it up it will be in our dining room and in a 40g breeder so would need a light that could cover it. Just sat up a 60g cube in the living room after 4yrs out of the hobby.

 

[forgiven1973]

Light drives intensity of photosynthesis but is the lesser of the requirements when comparec to nutrients and temperature. A very small percentage of macro is high in calcium. Because I grew Gracilario Parvispora for human consumption in 10K gallon greenhouse mariculture system, I had it analyzed for dry analysis.

In general, macro combines carbon:nitrogenhosphorus in the ratio of 560:30:1

Ward Lab Dey analysis of Red Ogo:

N 2.59%
P 0.082%
K 13.54%
Ca 0.555%
Mg 1.163%
S 4.81%
Zn 139 ppm
Fe 107 ppm
Mn 20 ppm
Cu 7 ppm

So I’m confused by this, u do need ALOT of calcium or u do not? Would water changes be enough using reef crystals and the standard 10-15% weekly?

 

[Subsea]

So I’m confused by this, u do need ALOT of calcium or u do not? Would water changes be enough using reef crystals and the standard 10-15% weekly?

If you read the dry analysis, calcium is the least required. So, that means don’t worry about calcium.

For your 40G breeder, I recommend Mars Aqua at 300w for less than $200. I have both 300w & 180w over my 120G

 

[forgiven1973]

If you read the dry analysis, calcium is the least required. So, that means don’t worry about calcium.

For your 40G breeder, I recommend Mars Aqua at 300w for less than $200. I have both 300w & 180w over my 120G

Prefect. Thank u!!!

 

[Subsea]

I want to set up a macroalgae tank. What nutrients would I need to keep it thriving and what light could I use. I have a blue damsel that I could put in to provide extra nutrients.

Welcome to the forum? I looked for a tank journal to help me uderstand your system needs and goals.

@Rdela568
This is your thread. You are the OP. I have almost 50 years experience as a reefkeeper and can assist you with your macro algae lagoon. If you help me to understand your vision for your macro tank, it would honor me to help you achieve it. EcoSystems should not be compartmented like lights only. The marine EcoSystem is holistic in nature. Some macroalgae will never grow wthout certain bacteria populations.

 

[Subsea]

Ill keep all that in mind. I’ve never had a macro tank before. When I get around to setting it up it will be in our dining room and in a 40g breeder so would need a light that could cover it. Just sat up a 60g cube in the living room after 4yrs out of the hobby.

Interesting handle. I just read a book titled, “The Gift of Forgiveness”.

For 35 years, I have integrated algae filtration into nutrient management of all marine tanks I maintain. Even utilitarian macro is gorgeous in a display tank. I just did add some Gracilaria Hayi into this 2 month mature 20G high display.

I so much enjoy aquascaping with macro to achieve contrast of texture and color.

 

[forgiven1973]

Interesting handle. I just read a book titled, “The Gift of Forgiveness”.

For 35 years, I have integrated algae filtration into nutrient management of all marine tanks I maintain. Even utilitarian macro is gorgeous in a display tank. I just did add some Gracilaria Hayi into this 2 month mature 20G high display.

I so much enjoy aquascaping with macro to achieve contrast of texture and color.

Beautiful tanks. I’m sure I will hit u up with some ideas/questions when I get around to setting the tank up. Have a 60g cube I just sat up ready to add some fish finally and cork later this month. Was in the hobby for 5yrs but been out for the past 4yrs now itching to try new things with so much yet to learn.