| Macroalgae "eats" nitrate and phosphate -- things people attempt to remove from their aquarium in a variety of ways. Growing macroalgae will remove them naturally. As the macro grows it will remove these from the water. When you prune it and remove some from the system you are exporting these nutrients from the system! Macroalgae attracts and harbors many types of critters. Some live in it and some eat it. These critters can benefit the system by being live food themselves for the fish or create plankton to feed corals. They also tend to be scavengers cleaning debris and nuisance algae. Many fish eat macroalgae in the wild. Some fish, like tangs, need to eat a form of it. People use flakes, pellets and dry nori but live macroalgae is obviously the best option. It provides the nutrients, vitamins and compounds that keep plant eating fish healthy. It boosts the immune system and can make these fish much more colorful and active! Aquatic plants are also beautiful! We offer a complete variety selecting only the most appropriate for the hobby. |
Chaetomorpha is a very popular macroalgae.
This grows into a manageable mass and does to
attach to rockwork or grow wild. It is easy to prune
and critters love the network of spaghetti like strands
to hide in. It is not likely to be eaten by fish. Most
people use it for nutrient export in a refuge although it
is appropriate for the main tank also.
This grows into a manageable mass and does to
attach to rockwork or grow wild. It is easy to prune
and critters love the network of spaghetti like strands
to hide in. It is not likely to be eaten by fish. Most
people use it for nutrient export in a refuge although it
is appropriate for the main tank also.
Grape Caulerpa is one of the easiest macroalgae's to grow.
It will grow well even under medium light. It is one of the fastest
growing macro's and is great for nutrient export. It is a vine that
grows grape-like bunches. You have to prune this one often as it
will grow wild and attach to everything. And it grows fast so it
removes nutrients quickly. It's best used in a refuge. Some fish
will eat Grape Caulerpa.
It will grow well even under medium light. It is one of the fastest
growing macro's and is great for nutrient export. It is a vine that
grows grape-like bunches. You have to prune this one often as it
will grow wild and attach to everything. And it grows fast so it
removes nutrients quickly. It's best used in a refuge. Some fish
will eat Grape Caulerpa.
Caulerpa Prolifera is an excellent macroalgae for sandbed's. This will grow
well enough to use as a nutrient export. But this also attracts many other life
forms which live in the root areas in the sandbed -- keeping your sandbed alive! It
is typically used in a refuge or in a main tank where there are no herbivores. It's
popular in Seahorse tanks as it harbors the live shrimp they like to eat. It needs
good light to grow well. Plant eating fish will happily eat this.
It is a vine with long flat leaves. The vines grow under and on top of the sandbed
and make good Seahorse hitches. The leaves are thin and long. This species of
Caulerpa does not grow as fast as other Caulpera's and does not grow wildly. If
your hesitant to use Caulerpa -- this is the one for you! Of all the species of
Caulerpa, this one is the most popular among hobbyists.
well enough to use as a nutrient export. But this also attracts many other life
forms which live in the root areas in the sandbed -- keeping your sandbed alive! It
is typically used in a refuge or in a main tank where there are no herbivores. It's
popular in Seahorse tanks as it harbors the live shrimp they like to eat. It needs
good light to grow well. Plant eating fish will happily eat this.
It is a vine with long flat leaves. The vines grow under and on top of the sandbed
and make good Seahorse hitches. The leaves are thin and long. This species of
Caulerpa does not grow as fast as other Caulpera's and does not grow wildly. If
your hesitant to use Caulerpa -- this is the one for you! Of all the species of
Caulerpa, this one is the most popular among hobbyists.
Feather Caulerpa is one of the
most beautiful Caulerpa varieties. It
is a vine with fern like feather leaves.
It is a good macro for nutrient export
and is also edible to herbivores.
This is also a fast grower and it will
attach to anything. It grows best on
rubble or rock rather the sand. This
does not grow as fast as Grape
Caulerpa but grows faster then
Prolifera. It is best for use in a refuge
but some hobbyists keep it in a
FOWLR (fish with live rock -- no
corals) tank. Like all Caulerpa's
most beautiful Caulerpa varieties. It
is a vine with fern like feather leaves.
It is a good macro for nutrient export
and is also edible to herbivores.
This is also a fast grower and it will
attach to anything. It grows best on
rubble or rock rather the sand. This
does not grow as fast as Grape
Caulerpa but grows faster then
Prolifera. It is best for use in a refuge
but some hobbyists keep it in a
FOWLR (fish with live rock -- no
corals) tank. Like all Caulerpa's
it grows fast enough to remove nutrients
very quickly. Fish tend to eat this variety of
Caulerpa more so then other types. It's a
beautiful addition to a refugium where you
might spend time watching bugs.
very quickly. Fish tend to eat this variety of
Caulerpa more so then other types. It's a
beautiful addition to a refugium where you
might spend time watching bugs.
Codium is a very versatile macroalgae. It is a tree like
plant that grows vertically and can look like a coral or
gorgonian. It is appropriate for the main tank as it will not
grow wild and will not attach to anything. It also requires
good light. This plant is not eaten by fish either so it can be
sustained in a tank with plant eating fish. And even though
it is decorative, it does absorb nutrients and can be used for
that purpose.
plant that grows vertically and can look like a coral or
gorgonian. It is appropriate for the main tank as it will not
grow wild and will not attach to anything. It also requires
good light. This plant is not eaten by fish either so it can be
sustained in a tank with plant eating fish. And even though
it is decorative, it does absorb nutrients and can be used for
that purpose.
It is kept in a refuge by some for nutrient export and critter habitat. Good for Seahorse tanks!
Gracilaria is a beautiful macroalgae that fish eat in nature. This is most
appropriate to feed herbivores. It contains the compounds necessary to boost
immune systems and enhance color. This will prevent and treat Head and Lateral
Line Erosion and will make a finicky tang eat. It is sometimes used for nutrient
export but is difficult to grow. This macroalgae requires high light, strong flow and
very high nutrient rich (dirty) water. Most hobbyist's systems are dirty enough to
keep them alive but not grow them. It is appropriate for the main tank as it will not
attach to anything if it does grow. I usually pin it with some small rubble in an area
of current and let the fish eat at their leisure. It is a nice decoration until it
disappears. If you don't have plant eating fish -- it's nice decor in the main tank. If
you do, then a feeding of this once a month will keep it happy and healthy. If
you've had trouble keeping Tangs -- you haven't tried this!
appropriate to feed herbivores. It contains the compounds necessary to boost
immune systems and enhance color. This will prevent and treat Head and Lateral
Line Erosion and will make a finicky tang eat. It is sometimes used for nutrient
export but is difficult to grow. This macroalgae requires high light, strong flow and
very high nutrient rich (dirty) water. Most hobbyist's systems are dirty enough to
keep them alive but not grow them. It is appropriate for the main tank as it will not
attach to anything if it does grow. I usually pin it with some small rubble in an area
of current and let the fish eat at their leisure. It is a nice decoration until it
disappears. If you don't have plant eating fish -- it's nice decor in the main tank. If
you do, then a feeding of this once a month will keep it happy and healthy. If
you've had trouble keeping Tangs -- you haven't tried this!
Ulva is very similar to Gracilaria. It is what fish
eat in the wild and has basically the same
requirements -- good light, good flow, high
nutrient water. It is also nutritious for fish and
good for them to eat. This stuff attracts a lot of
critters who also eat it. Ulva beds are good
hunting grounds for Mandarin fish, Pipefish and
Seahorses. It will not grow fast or wild and will
not attach to anything, can be decorative in the
main tank or food!
eat in the wild and has basically the same
requirements -- good light, good flow, high
nutrient water. It is also nutritious for fish and
good for them to eat. This stuff attracts a lot of
critters who also eat it. Ulva beds are good
hunting grounds for Mandarin fish, Pipefish and
Seahorses. It will not grow fast or wild and will
not attach to anything, can be decorative in the
main tank or food!
Macroalgae has many useful purposes in the home aquarium system just like in nature! Most people
use it for nutrient export. But it also harbors many other life forms which in turn adds diversity and
other benefits to your system. Macroalgae is also food for herbivorous and omnivorous fish.
use it for nutrient export. But it also harbors many other life forms which in turn adds diversity and
other benefits to your system. Macroalgae is also food for herbivorous and omnivorous fish.
Halimeda is a great macroalgae for the
display tank. A beautiful plant that is
decorative in function, it will attract critters
and add diversity!
$9.99
display tank. A beautiful plant that is
decorative in function, it will attract critters
and add diversity!
$9.99
A calcium
based
algae that
will
decompose
into
reefsand!
It's needs
are simular
to corals.
based
algae that
will
decompose
into
reefsand!
It's needs
are simular
to corals.
Safe to keep
in your main
tank!
This algae
will not grow
wildly and
will not be
eaten by fish
in your main
tank!
This algae
will not grow
wildly and
will not be
eaten by fish