refugiums plants

[bluwinghawk]

hi all, working on refugium part of sump now need help in finding out what plants to use and were to get them like, mangrove. and i see cheato mention alot whats that?
sorry if this is the wrong spot to post this
thanx, Rick

 

[steamer51]

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.

 

[bluwinghawk]

hey steamer thanks for info didnt now about mangrove roots but makes sense just order my clean up crew and some micro from our cleanup sponsorshould have it thur im excited :bigsmile: