Macroalgae Tank

[BonnieB]

I’m thinking of turning my original 32g AIO that’s been in the garage for a year now into a macro algae tank. Tips, tricks, suggestions? Where would I be able to get algae other than chaeto, which I don’t want? A couple of fish that would be good to have in there for biodiversity? Or no fish? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[JohnBRZ]

I have a pair of clownfish, a yellow clown goby, Biota Mandarin, court jester goby, and a ruby red dragonet in my current 15g macro and softies tank. you might get away with a baby Tomini tang if it's a 30 long. some other fish I've kelp with macro included yellow Coris wrasse, 6-line, leopard wrasse, tailspot blenny, royal gramma, dartfish to name a few.

 

[drexel]

Look up @dansyr tanks here on the forum, lots of great inspiration with his tanks. Macros usually look their best under full spectrum daylight, so if you're planning the more "blue" look, it might not have the pop you're looking for. There are plenty of corals out there that look great (and prefer) under full spectrum lighting. I also might have a few trimmings I can give once you're set up.

 

[BonnieB]

I have a pair of clownfish, a yellow clown goby, Biota Mandarin, court jester goby, and a ruby red dragonet in my current 15g macro and softies tank. you might get away with a baby Tomini tang if it's a 30 long. some other fish I've kelp with macro included yellow Coris wrasse, 6-line, leopard wrasse, tailspot blenny, royal gramma, dartfish to name a few.
View attachment 133922

Thanks! I don’t know why I thought those tanks were practically fishless!

 

[BonnieB]

Look up @dansyr tanks here on the forum, lots of great inspiration with his tanks. Macros usually look their best under full spectrum daylight, so if you're planning the more "blue" look, it might not have the pop you're looking for. There are plenty of corals out there that look great (and prefer) under full spectrum lighting. I also might have a few trimmings I can give once you're set up.

Thanks! Will do and thank you for the trimmings offer!

 

[OldReefGuy]

Thanks! Will do and thank you for the trimmings offer!

@dansyr is breaking it down and you might be able to get some macro's from him.....he has a great selection!

 

[Bck2hobby]

atomic broccoli
red grape
sargassum
blue hypnea
gracilaria
purple gracilaria
rose petal i think
and bubble - but dont want that one

usually do from mosaic macros or other peeps on the forum.

fish wise i have in mine
2 green banded gobies
barnacle blenny seen one time after i introduced into the tank
possum wrase
pink wrase
scissor tail dart fisj
yellow clown goby
blue neon cleaner goby that i havent seen in 2 days - he hides a day or two then all over the place next few days.

and for me must have sexy shrimp in there

Dan just brought down his tanks see his post on remaining macros if any

 

[BonnieB]

@dansyr is breaking it down and you might be able to get some macro's from him.....he has a great selection!

Thanks my friend! I tried to pull him up but didn’t do it right I guess. I’ll try again when I’m home and can look well!

 

[BonnieB]

atomic broccoli
red grape
sargassum
blue hypnea
gracilaria
purple gracilaria
rose petal i think
and bubble - but dont want that one

usually do from mosaic macros or other peeps on the forum.

fish wise i have in mine
2 green banded gobies
barnacle blenny seen one time after i introduced into the tank
possum wrase
pink wrase
scissor tail dart fisj
yellow clown goby
blue neon cleaner goby that i havent seen in 2 days - he hides a day or two then all over the place next few days.

and for me must have sexy shrimp in there

Dan just brought down his tanks see his post on remaining macros if any

Thanks so much this is an awesome list and so helpful as I plan this out!

 

[banuvatt]

I’m thinking of turning my original 32g AIO that’s been in the garage for a year now into a macro algae tank. Tips, tricks, suggestions? Where would I be able to get algae other than chaeto, which I don’t want? A couple of fish that would be good to have in there for biodiversity? Or no fish? Thanks for any suggestions!

I have a large piece of codium.

 

[BonnieB]

Thanks so much! I’ll reach out when I’m set up to see if you still have some. Still in planning stages.

 

[SantaMonica]

Macro tanks are perfect for a seahorse

 

[BonnieB]

Ooh now that would be cool!

 

[BonnieB]

Excited (and a little scared) but the tank will go up next week. Will use some LR and sand from my other tanks to seed and get the cycle through. Then begin seeding with the macro and pods! Just breathe!!

 

[pledosophy]

I have had a few macro tanks over a 12 year span.

My advice would be to get one fast grower that you prune often and then several others.

Macro tanks grow fast, and they block water movement. I have found that using spraybars to get water movement throughout the tank is a huge help. I actually ran my spraybars under my rocks.

My 34g macro tank would get fed 4 cubes of mysis a day. It is more than I feed my 180g reef tank now. I always found just adding more food was better than dosing nitrate or phosphate.

I had seahorses for awhile (they need temps under 74). I also had a tank with an angler fish in it that was pretty cool.

LPS and Macro also make great companions because you can really feed the LPS a lot for their growth and the macro will absorb the extra.

IMO lots of small fish are the most fun. Pipefish, gobies, a sand sifting goby, Biota manderins... there are a ton of options for fish.

For macro choices get a variety of colors and textures. Don't be afraid to add something like sargasum which is a deeper brown and then put something bright in front of it for contrast. It makes the tank more interesting.

 

[Tangwich]

Anemones, sponges, clams all while the macros keep the water crystal clear. Macro algae tanks are so much fun and easy to keep imo. Congrats on the new fun project.

 

[BonnieB]

I have had a few macro tanks over a 12 year span.

My advice would be to get one fast grower that you prune often and then several others.

Macro tanks grow fast, and they block water movement. I have found that using spraybars to get water movement throughout the tank is a huge help. I actually ran my spraybars under my rocks.

My 34g macro tank would get fed 4 cubes of mysis a day. It is more than I feed my 180g reef tank now. I always found just adding more food was better than dosing nitrate or phosphate.

I had seahorses for awhile (they need temps under 74). I also had a tank with an angler fish in it that was pretty cool.

LPS and Macro also make great companions because you can really feed the LPS a lot for their growth and the macro will absorb the extra.

IMO lots of small fish are the most fun. Pipefish, gobies, a sand sifting goby, Biota manderins... there are a ton of options for fish.

For macro choices get a variety of colors and textures. Don't be afraid to add something like sargasum which is a deeper brown and then put something bright in front of it for contrast. It makes the tank more interesting.

Love all the experience and advice! Thank you!

 

[pheallox]

I dont think he is on here since he moved up north, but search outside the site for Tigahboy, I have learned a lot from him and he shares a lot of info on resources.
Dude has about 20 macro systems running right now.
Problem you will run into is most sites wont ship to cali due to invasive issues, I agree with them since some people dont have the common sense to protect our environment, ao you will have to source maceo from people local, good luck and happy reefing.

 

[BonnieB]

Awesome! Thanks for the connection suggestion! I’ll give that a try.

 

[pheallox]

Oh and it has been about 10 years since I had my macro seahorse system, but I had a nice forest of long sea grass I liberated from ocean beach in San Diego, and it stayed alive in 77° for over a year and spread fast.