Changing mixed reef into macro algae tank?

[20gallonreefer000]

I'm planning on switching a 20 gallon mixed reef over to macroalgae, what is the transitional process? When corals are removed I'm assuming things can be tipped out of balance, how do I prepare for that? I may be overthinking it, but any help or personal experience is appreciated :)

 

[Subsea]

“Tipped out of balance”

The big difference is macro algae requirement for inorganic nutrients. So, be prepared to dose nutrients.

I operate Caribbean lagoons theme tanks with ornamental seaweeds, fish, corals and diverse filter feeders.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@vlangel

 

[vlangel]

@vlangel

Hi, if you did not give away or sell all your coral yet, do the transition in stages. I would remove any sps first and add macros in place of them. You will need to be mindful of inverts and grazing fish (if you have any) who might devour your new macro acquisitions. Codium, opuntia, and mermaids fan are good ones that are not real palatable to fish and some inverts.

Then perhaps remove some lps and add more macros. Keep an eye on NO3 and PO4 as macros can suck those up quickly and you don't want those to bottom out and have a dino problem. You can add more fish to help if you have sufficient rockwork to give them enough territory.

Softies are nice in a macro algae tank but its all up to you and your preferences.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

Thank you, very helpful. What you suggested will work well for what I have planned. I was going to do feather caulerpa as the main macro with the more colourful and "exotic" ones to add more life. Do you have any experience with emerald crabs and feather caulerpa? I've got a few small females.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm a big fan of the look of macroalgae, but preventing pest algae while growing macroalgae is not trivial.

 

[vlangel]

Thank you, very helpful. What you suggested will work well for what I have planned. I was going to do feather caulerpa as the main macro with the more colourful and "exotic" ones to add more life. Do you have any experience with emerald crabs and feather caulerpa? I've got a few small females.

I haven't had feather caulerpa for quite a few years so I am not sure about emerald crabs and it. I do find feather caulerpa invasive enough that I would put it in the center of large open areas of sand.
A nice red macro that emerald crabs do not eat is gracilaria hayi, (or at least mine never ate it). It is beautiful but also can be aggressive and eventually grew on a lot of my rockwork. I just ripped it off every 3 weeks or so. Sadly it all died back ( along with my purple photosynthetic sponge) when I upgraded to my 75g in Sept. When this tank is fully stable I plan to add both again if I can find them

.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

Beautiful tank, and thanks again for the advice