Why shouldn't macrogae be in your display?

[Tinnerito]

If you've read my posts, you know that all of my displays are macroalgae dominant, with little to no coral. I recently was told by some hobbyists that macroalgae does not belong in a display, especially caulerpa, and only should be in a sump or refugium. That also makes me realize that I know very few people online that actually have macroalgae in their display tanks. I assume many of you also keep your macros in a fuge, but why exactly? I want to read your standpoints. What experiences do you have with macro in your display? Good? Bad? My clownfish seem to love the softness and smoothness of my caulerpa, my clown gobys like perching on my textured, firm gracilarias, and macroalgae will keep nitrates low, make homes for my copepods, and are visually appealing. so I would imagine they're a positive contribution to a saltwater aquarium.

 

[Miami Reef]

There are many macro algae tanks.

Here’s an example:

REEF OF THE MONTH - May 2021: Tigahboy's Macroalgae Paradise!

R2R Username: @Tigahboy Build Thread: Tigahboy's Macroalgae Tank(s) Introduction: Greetings from Seattle, Washington! I’m super honored and thrilled to be featured this month on Reef2Reef. Although I go by Tigahboy and tigahboy.h2o online and in social media, my real name is Dennis, and...

www.reef2reef.com

Some people like corals, some people like fish-only, and some people like macroalgae.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I’ve always enjoyed macro algae’s in the display, I just think it’s usually more balanced to have slow growing species to avoid a total take over by one species.
There is many reefs were both algae and coral live in a cool harmony.

 

[Tinnerito]

I’ve always enjoyed macro algae’s in the display, I just think it’s usually more balanced to have slow growing species to avoid a total take over by one species.
There is many reefs were both algae and coral live in a cool harmony.

That's exactly what I'm thinking!

 

[WvAquatics]

I would live macro in display. I'm planning foxface and tangs. So it will be ripped out in no time. I am making a display refugium because the freshwater in me wants the plants and to watch all the fun in the sump.

 

[alonsooro]

I think is based on preferences. Many like more corals than algae, and algae grow faster than corals.
As always, you will have what you like.
'Doesn't belong to display' is something i not agree at all, but sure you have to prepare to the type of aquarium you are developing.
If you like more algae, you should have some caution about predatores (mostly tangs), since they will sometimes eat most of them.
IMHO i like them a lot, but i don't use them in display because:
1. they grow faster than corals
2. i control them in refugium for fauna population
Have fun, since this kind of setup is not very common, but is so pretty

 

[BeanAnimal]

Broad subject with broad assumptions.

In general, many species of macro algae can quickly become a hard to control nuisance in the display and/or block light to coral. Therefore, it is not a popular option for most that keep coral.

I don't think there is any need to expound beyond that simple point. If an individual prefers to deal with it for whatever reason, then that is up to them and there is nothing wrong with it.

I prefer to not keep it anywhere, as I find most forms of it to be a detritus trap, aiptasia breeding ground, potential drain clogger and something else that has to be managed and cultivated, as well, it will often ad tannins to the water.

 

[jabberwock]

 

[Vetekli]

I like to have red algeas in my DT. Dont see any negatives to it. They dont grow as fast as caulerpa etc, which require too much maintenance for my taste. My fav is dragons breath. Grows well but not too fast, consumes nutrients and is stunning.

 

[bossman818]

I had some acid rain macro algae, super cool until a hungry snail came and ate almost all of it.

 

[Tinnerito]

I think is based on preferences. Many like more corals than algae, and algae grow faster than corals.
As always, you will have what you like.
'Doesn't belong to display' is something i not agree at all, but sure you have to prepare to the type of aquarium you are developing.
If you like more algae, you should have some caution about predatores (mostly tangs), since they will sometimes eat most of them.
IMHO i like them a lot, but i don't use them in display because:
1. they grow faster than corals
2. i control them in refugium for fauna population
Have fun, since this kind of setup is not very common, but is so pretty

I've never had a tang before so that makes sense. I'll remember when I do!

 

[Patx]

First tank 15gallons in 2012ish
Biocube14 (rimless)
Was fun.
But hard to place coral :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:

I love macro... but hard to manage in bigger tank.
Chose wisely... !

 

[Tinnerito]

First tank 15gallons in 2012ish
Biocube14 (rimless)
Was fun.
But hard to place coral :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:

I love macro... but hard to manage in bigger tank.
Chose wisely... !

Love the setup!

 

[vlangel]

You have probably seen my tank already but I love macros in my display.

 

[Patx]

You have probably seen my tank already but I love macros in my display.

Nice !
I can't keep "red macro" alive
:confused-face:

Any tricks?

 

[vlangel]

Nice !
I can't keep "red macro" alive
:confused-face:

Any tricks?

As long as my nutrients are kind of high, the gracilaria hayi and the botrycladia (red grape caulerpa) do well. That is also how I keep coral with macros,,,have the nutrients high enough that there is plenty to go around.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I love macroalgae better than many corals, since they move with the flow, but one limitation is it can make algae control in the display harder since many herbivores that consume pest algae will consume many types of macroalgae.

 

[Faurek]

People who tell you they don't belong in the display are entitled coral people with a short mind.
Macros not only belong in the display but also help it in many ways, those must be entitled SPS fanatics or "high end" LPS junkies who think macroalgae is too good to be with their corals or run only blues so the macros look like garbage.
I like macroalgae and I belong to both SPS fanatics and macroalgae lovers, so I tend to keep both and experiment with it.
As long as the algae is not brushing on corals or stripping nutrients like crazy it's fine.

The black stuff on the back is Caulerpa, I did experiment with various degrees of actinic light and macro growth in various iterations of tanks and lights, as seen the acro on the front was not bothered by the Caulerpa.
Running a refugium or putting in the display is mostly the same thing, water goes so fast that it just becomes one type of water either way.

 

[vlangel]

I love macros in my display! I am not attentive enough to keep most SPS but I have a variety of coral.

 

[Faurek]

Yeah just be careful with macros bothering the corals and signs of low nutrients.
The tank looks good.
Your tank, your style. A personal tank should reflect personal taste.