FOWLR with Macroalgae Tank

Hey Guys,

I am considering setting up a FOWLR with Macroalgae in the DT in my 40g breeder. Someone else on 3reef mentioned that you guys have a lot of macros in your DT's and I was wondering if you have any advice on how to make it successful/ avoid issues.

Any thoughts/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Aaron

 

Depending on your ultimate goal, there are a few things we've learned...

Generally speaking, most red macros prefer dimmer lighting than the greens. In fact, many will "brown-out", go pale, or change color (usually greenish) when under intense lighting.

If you keep any of the fast-growing Caulerpa species such as C. racemosa (green grape), C. taxifolia (feather), their variants (C. mexicana, C. sertularioides, C. ashmeadii, C. macrophysa, C. peltata, etc.), or C. brachypus, you'll want to keep on top of the pruning to control them. IME, there are also the species that tend to "go sexual" on folks, which the pruning should prevent.

Here is where I'll mention freezing any "clippings" for 24 hours prior to disposing of them, which will kill the stuff.

If you keep any of the calcareous macros (Halimeda, Galaxura, etc), you'll want to check your Ca level every so often.

If you keep any true vascular plants such as Penicillus or seagrasses, you'll want a mature sandbed that is 4" deep and lots of light...think "reef" in that case.

I dunno if that helps, but I normally don't do anything special most of the time...if a macro grows, cool, if not, I try another one when I see something interesting.

If you have any specifics, I may be able to help you a bit more.

 

Hey,

Thanks Greg. I'm really just trying to keep the tank as maintenance free as possible. I am really just looking to do a FOWLR, but I figured if I added slow growing macros to the DT, it would help keep my nitrates and phosphates down (reducing the need for water changes) with minimal maintenance.

The tank is a RR 40g breeder with a 20g long sump. I have a 90g skimmer in teh first sump chamber, a fuge in the 2nd, and then my return.

I also like that I would have more stuff in the tank than just my fish and a bunch of rocks- making it more appealing, but without having to worry about a full reef.

Are there any specifics species that you would recommend as simple to maintain/ are easy to care for? I don't want to go with caluerpa because of its tendency to invade/ go sexual.