What am I missing.

MysticBlue · Jan 4, 2023

What am I missing? It’s a 30 gallon macro algae tank and it’s just plain. The water is cloudy no matter how many water changes I do. It’s only got a hob filter and about 6 mangroves and two types of macro algae’s. It has two mollies and a watchmen goby with a pistol shrimp. I want to know what I should add to it in regards to:
Equipment
Livestock
Plants
Easy non stinging coral
Structures rock/wood
Water quality.
thank you so much and I know you will have great suggestions!!!

AydenLincoln · Jan 5, 2023

It’s from that wood. You should remove it as wood will leach, lower pH, and cloud the water in a saltwater aquarium! Any type of wood is really meant for freshwater tanks not saltwater. You can add carbon to the filter too but it’s only going to make so much of a difference until you remove the wood. And test your water and post the results here!

Tamberav · Jan 5, 2023

Post above me has it all! My reaction was, take the wood out! Wood is for freshwater, not reefs.

A bag of purigen in the hob can help soak up leached tannins from it but take it out either way.

In regards to corals and macro, you didn’t say what light you have.

rtparty · Jan 5, 2023

The BRS 5 Minute Guide on YouTube would be a great place to start learning the basics. Then implement what you learn to the system you want to run

MysticBlue · Jan 5, 2023

AydenLincoln said:
It’s from that wood. You should remove it as wood will leach, lower pH, and cloud the water in a saltwater aquarium! Any type of wood is really meant for freshwater tanks not saltwater. You can add carbon to the filter too but it’s only going to make so much of a difference until you remove the wood. And test your water and post the results here!

Wood has been removed and I’m running carbon now.

MysticBlue · Jan 5, 2023

Tamberav said:
Post above me has it all! My reaction was, take the wood out! Wood is for freshwater, not reefs.

A bag of purigen in the hob can help soak up leached tannins from it but take it out either way.

In regards to corals and macro, you didn’t say what light you have.

That’s what I’m asking what lights do I need for a macro algae tank? Do I need power heads? Do I need protein skimmers? What kind of hob do I need? What kind of macro algae will do good and add color? What kind of fish can I add to an aquarium like this.

MysticBlue · Jan 5, 2023

rtparty said:
The BRS 5 Minute Guide on YouTube would be a great place to start learning the basics. Then implement what you learn to the system you want to run

I know the basics of reefing I have plenty of reef tanks I’m just not sure about a macro algae tank?

AydenLincoln · Jan 5, 2023

MysticBlue said:
That’s what I’m asking what lights do I need for a macro algae tank? Do I need power heads? Do I need protein skimmers? What kind of hob do I need? What kind of macro algae will do good and add color? What kind of fish can I add to an aquarium like this.

I have a macroalgae tank! Yes you need a powerhead for flow. Technically you don’t need any filters or skimmers as the macroalgae cleans the water. But I would recommend a Fluval hob filter at least at first until the macroalgae grows significantly. Any red macroalgae in the gracilaria family is extremely hardy and beginner friendly. You can add any appropriately sized fish to a macroalgae tank but be warned many may eat the macroalgae especially green ones like caulerpa and sea lettuce not so much the red ones. Dosing and testing in a tank like this is important too so you don’t bottom out your nutrients and for optimal growth and coloration. In terms of lighting any plant growth light will work or a refugium light as they are plants so their needs are different than coral.

Tamberav · Jan 5, 2023

MysticBlue said:
That’s what I’m asking what lights do I need for a macro algae tank? Do I need power heads? Do I need protein skimmers? What kind of hob do I need? What kind of macro algae will do good and add color? What kind of fish can I add to an aquarium like this.

You need a powerhead

I like the seachem tidal filter as it surface skims

Any small nano fish that will fit in a 30g comfortably is fine, clowns, royal gramma, firefish, shrimp gobies, etc are all popular.

For lighting you can use a reef light or a saltwater one, it doesn't matter. I grew macro under kessils or chinese boxes or freshwater lights just fine. When I say freshwater, I mean ones made for plants as they are powerful then just a light to view fish. Many of the same reef lights have a freshwater version.

This is a popular website for macro...macro however is often seasonal. If you click on the images, it will tell you about the care of the macro.

live-plants.com

Gulf Coast Ecosystems (GCE), founded in 2003, is a trusted source for live marine macroalgae, gorgonians, sponges and invertebrates. From our Florida Keys and Tampa Bay stations, we hand-collect and culture high-quality specimens for hobbyists, reef tanks, public aquariums, universities, and...

www.live-plants.com