Macroalgae Recomendations

Nrm · Oct 8, 2026

I have a 20 gallon that I need to have a little more nutrient export. I don't want to buy a skimmer or HOB refugium right now because I wanted to try macroalgae in the display. What algae do you guys recommend or that you guys have had any luck with keeping alive and helping with nutrients? Thank you

mcarroll · Oct 9, 2026

Can you do something to waste less food in the tank so you can eliminate the "need" for algae too? For exmple, stop broadcast feeding, if you do....it wastes a lot. If you're feeding more than your fish can eat in about a minute, chances are the extra is getting down into the sand, rocks or filter...feed smaller quantities to prevent that.

Are you currently running the tank without filtration?

Nrm · Oct 10, 2026

mcarroll said:
Can you do something to waste less food in the tank so you can eliminate the "need" for algae too? For exmple, stop broadcast feeding, if you do....it wastes a lot. If you're feeding more than your fish can eat in about a minute, chances are the extra is getting down into the sand, rocks or filter...feed smaller quantities to prevent that.

Are you currently running the tank without filtration?

I have a canister filter. I can try with target feeding.

mcarroll · Oct 10, 2026

A canister filter is, for better and for worse, a very good filter. If it's setup in the usual fashion you might have to clean it weekly, or even more often, to keep it clean enough that it doesn't keep the tanks's dissolved nutrient levels pretty high.

But make sure it's a real problem and not just a number you're chasing before you do anything about it. Corals can really like dissolved nutrients.