Looking for Macro Algae Pico Tank Tips

[Haaps]

Hey y'all,
I've started a new pico tank (equipment listed below) and my plan is to do macro algae with maybe a couple softies, but mostly macro algae.

I'm looking for any tips people have about good starter macro algae as well as any macro algae care tips :)

Equipment (I'm keeping this one low budget):

1. Lifegard Aquatics 4.1 gallon
2. Aquael 50w heater
3. Lominie Astra 20 Light
4. CaribSea Life Rock
   CaribSea Live Sand
5. Custom Media Tray from OOL
6. Filter floss
7. Rubble rock in the back that was seeded

Planned stocking (so far at least):

1. Greissinger Goby (these are tiny)
2. Bumblebee Shrimp
3. Strawberry Crab
4. Hermit crab or 2
5. Couple snails

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@vlangel

 

[vlangel]

@vlangel

Hi Haaps, I think your pico macroalgae tank sounds like fun. I have never done a pico but I have kept macroalgae in a display and that tank looks like an easy one to work with. I like the light fixture you have chosen as well. Unlike coral which like the light to be on the blue side, macros prefer the light to be more white; 6500 to 10k.

One of the easier macros that I have kept is gracilaria which doesn't need as intense light and is a beautiful vibrant red. It can grow so well that it will want to take over. So if you choose it, I would design the rockwork that you can dismantle the rock to prune it. When mine was established and growing well, I needed to prune every 3 weeks and I pruned aggressively.

Another nice macro that is green and not so invasive is codium.

I enjoy the looks of halimeda, shaving brush, mermaids fan, and pinecone. They are not hard to keep but they are calcareous which means they need adequate calcium.

Zoas/palys can be good compatible coral that can add color. A feather duster worm can add more movement.

I dose Seachem Flourish to meet trace elements of macros.

Check out @Tigahboy on here or youtube as he has multiple macro tanks of differing sizes that are amazing.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

Biggest problem I ran into with a pico macro algae tank, was once the macros really took off it got almost impossible to keep up with maintenance for me. My schedule just didn’t allow me to have something that required trimming every 2 days and the more invasive species just took over.

I’d avoid the majority of caulerpas. I do have a bit of grape Caulerpa still in my daughter’s Deskmate that hasn’t gotten too crazy yet. But it’s also starting to shoot out runners I’m having to trim back more and more to keep it in the spot I want.

 

[vlangel]

Biggest problem I ran into with a pico macro algae tank, was once the macros really took off it got almost impossible to keep up with maintenance for me. My schedule just didn’t allow me to have something that required trimming every 2 days and the more invasive species just took over.

I’d avoid the majority of caulerpas. I do have a bit of grape Caulerpa still in my daughter’s Deskmate that hasn’t gotten too crazy yet. But it’s also starting to shoot out runners I’m having to trim back more and more to keep it in the spot I want.

I agree that caulerpas although lovely may be demanding to keep up with pruning. A lot of them will also go sexual if they are not pruned aggressively and nutrients bottom out.

 

[Subsea]

In red, I recommend Gracilaria Hayi (Pom Pom) and Bortacladia (red grapes).

 

[Haaps]

Hi Haaps, I think your pico macroalgae tank sounds like fun. I have never done a pico but I have kept macroalgae in a display and that tank looks like an easy one to work with. I like the light fixture you have chosen as well. Unlike coral which like the light to be on the blue side, macros prefer the light to be more white; 6500 to 10k.

One of the easier macros that I have kept is gracilaria which doesn't need as intense light and is a beautiful vibrant red. It can grow so well that it will want to take over. So if you choose it, I would design the rockwork that you can dismantle the rock to prune it. When mine was established and growing well, I needed to prune every 3 weeks and I pruned aggressively.

Another nice macro that is green and not so invasive is codium.

I enjoy the looks of halimeda, shaving brush, mermaids fan, and pinecone. They are not hard to keep but they are calcareous which means they need adequate calcium.

Zoas/palys can be good compatible coral that can add color. A feather duster worm can add more movement.

I dose Seachem Flourish to meet trace elements of macros.

Check out @Tigahboy on here or youtube as he has multiple macro tanks of differing sizes that are amazing.

Awesome thanks! Great tips! And yes, Tigaboy is the inspiration for the tank!

 

[brittlestar]

A feather duster worm can add more movement.

I tried a feather duster in a pico once and I found that it needed continuous feeding to do well in such a small water volume. I think it ate all the phyto within about an hour and then starved the rest of the day otherwise