What to grow in a Macro Algae reactor (besides Chaeto)?

[chaostactics]

So I'm one of the countless reefers who can keep chaeto alive for a while and then have it suddenly melt and wreak havoc on my tank.

Has anyone else seen success with other macros in an algae reactor?

I'm running a fairly large one, and MBR 157.

Maybe Red Ogo Gracilaria (Gracilaria parvispora)?

 

[blaxsun]

I know it's not chaeto, but I like Zeo in my reactor.

 

[chaostactics]

I know it's not chaeto, but I like Zeo in my reactor.

Huh?

 

[blaxsun]

Huh?

Zeo, Zeovit.

 

[chaostactics]

Zeo, Zeovit.

Wouldn't put Zeovit in a Macro algae reactor.

 

[WheatToast]

Gutweed (Ulva intestinalis)?
They sell this macroalgae here:
https://addictivereefkeeping.com/pr...lettuce-marine-macro-algae-plant-pick-a-size/

By the way, what are your parameters?

 

[chaostactics]

Gutweed (Ulva intestinalis)?
They sell this macroalgae here:
https://addictivereefkeeping.com/pr...lettuce-marine-macro-algae-plant-pick-a-size/

By the way, what are your parameters?

Ohh that looks like a nice one!

Averaging 0.12 for Phos and .043 for Nitrates. I haven't tested in a couple of weeks. I failed to notice my Chaeto dying until a few of days ago when my display had a crazy uptick of nuisance algae. Will be testing again in the next couple of days.

Was also looking at

Gracilaria pacifica

 

[jt8791]

red ogo might work depending on your lighting, hard to say with your low nitrates though. I read it’s a fast grower with powerful lighting, I’m still figuring out how to grow it well. I just switched from chaeto to red ogo in my fuge about a month ago.

 

[nathang]

Codium always grows really well for me and stays a lot cleaner than chaeto

 

[WheatToast]

Ohh that looks like a nice one!

Averaging 0.12 for Phos and .043 for Nitrates. I haven't tested in a couple of weeks. I failed to notice my Chaeto dying until a few of days ago when my display had a crazy uptick of nuisance algae. Will be testing again in the next couple of days.

Was also looking at

Gracilaria pacifica

Glad I could help!
I have read that most macroalgae do not tolerate Nitrate levels below 2 ppm and Phosphate levels below 0.02 ppm (Livealgae.co.uk). Beyond Phosphates and Nitrates, they are also require many trace elements, like corals, especially iron. You should probably look into these before getting more macroalgae.
P.S. Brightwell Aquatics makes some great products for these (ChaetoGRO, NeoPhos, NeoNitro).

 

[WheatToast]

Codium always grows really well for me and stays a lot cleaner than chaeto

Really! I have have been told/have only seen it grow very slowly compared to other macroalgae. What was your experience and do you have any pictures?

 

[nathang]

Really! I have have been told/have only seen it grow very slowly compared to other macroalgae. What was your experience and do you have any pictures?

I don’t have any pictures but I had it in my refugium (AI prime) and display (AI hydra) and it grew super fast. Probably tossed a fistful away every two weeks

 

[chaostactics]

Glad I could help!
I have read that most macroalgae do not tolerate Nitrate levels below 2 ppm and Phosphate levels below 0.02 ppm (Livealgae.co.uk). Beyond Phosphates and Nitrates, they are also require many trace elements, like corals, especially iron. You should probably look into these before getting more macroalgae.
P.S. Brightwell Aquatics makes some great products for these (ChaetoGRO, NeoPhos, NeoNitro).

My iron is high. Via ICP testing which makes sense since I have sand with a high iron content. The other trace levels seem to be fine as well via testing.

 

[WheatToast]

I don’t have any pictures but I had it in my refugium (AI prime) and display (AI hydra) and it grew super fast. Probably tossed a fistful away every two weeks

Wow! Mine barely grew a centimeter in a year (though it did fall behind my rockwork).
I also hear invertebrates love to graze on its fuzzy surface for captured particulates. Overall, a great macroalgae!

 

[nathang]

Wow! Mine barely grew a centimeter in a year (though it did fall behind my rockwork).
I also hear invertebrates love to graze on its fuzzy surface for captured particulates. Overall, a great macroalgae!

Yea I loved it, which is why I always kept a chunk in my display to fill gaps. It was pretty