Planted refugia are used to cultivate macroalgae. And that’s about the only thing that has stayed the same over the years. As time goes
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Macroalgae
The macroalgae include a huge and rather diverse group of relatively complex, multicellular algal species. Macroalgae are represented in all three major algal groups: The brown algae (Phaeophyta), red algae (Rhodophyta) and green algae (Chlorophyta). Hence, the macroalgae are not a distinct phyllogenetic assemblage (i.e. they are not very closely related), as each subgroup evolved into their multicellular forms independently from the other two. Ecologically, though, this concept of a “macro” algae is meaningful and useful. These “seaweeds” are all very plant-like in their physical structure (at least superficially), bearing stem-like, leaf-like and root-like structures. Their greater size and complexity (like plants) creates a microhabitat of its own, especially when they are grown in dense, expansive beds. The shelter they provide is an important haven for small invertebrates such as copepods. Increasingly, marine aquarists are cultivating macroalgae. Usually, this is for practical purposes, though macros increasingly are grown simply for enjoyment (marine gardening, if you will). Macroalgae are frequently cultured in a refugium to improve water quality and reduce the need for water changes. In practice, the seaweeds take up excess nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, etc.) from the system. These locked up nutrients are then “exported” from the system as portions of the algal bed are harvested and thrown away. Alternately, the harvested material can be fed to herbivorous aquarium animals. Fleshy types (sea lettuce, ogo, etc.) are relished as a highly palatable, nutritious food source for fishes (tangs, rabbitfish, angelfish, etc.) and invertebrate (sea urchins, certain crabs, etc.). As alluded to above, macroalgae add more biogenic “refuge” to a refugium. The enormous amount of surface area they provide can dramatically boost pod populations. Here, small, desirable microcrustaceans (copepods, amphipods, isopods, etc.) can hide from predators and breed. With so many interesting ornamental macroalgae becoming available, one might begin collecting certain types purely for their beautiful appearance. The deep reds of Gracilaria or rich blues of Hypnea might come to mind here. Healthy and flourishing specimens of slower-growing varieties look so impressive that they can quite justifiably be used in the display tank (presuming an absence of herbivores!). In this section you will learn which types of macroalgae live in which types of habitats, how they can benefit your captive ecosystem and what they need to grow lushly.
52 Posts
Blue Hypnea: The Next Hot Refugium Macro?
Though it sells out quickly when available, blue hypnea is out there for the grabs. And it’s well worth it for those that cater to its
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Upgrading to the ULTIMATE Ecopack
Pods. Phyto. At AlgaeBarn, these are the bread and butter of the reef aquarium diet. And for sure, these two items form the base of
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Upgrading to the ULTIMATE Refugium Starter Pack
You might be setting up a brand-new reef tank. Maybe you’re doing some upgrades to an existing aquarium. Either way, you’ll have a lot
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What Do I Need for a Saltwater Fish Tank?
Whether scouting for your first aquarium, or “graduating” from a freshwater aquarium, there is something about a saltwater aquarium
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Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium
Marine aquarists have always had access to temperate species. In fact, in the days before improved packaging/shipping procedures
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Building Your Mangrove Biotope
Ahhh, the planted refugium… It’s become something much bigger and much more engaging than the mere “filter” it was just a few years
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4 Macroalgae for Beginners
Macroalgae are a great addition to any aquarium. They remove excess nutrients in the water column (such as phosphates and nitrates) and
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Pom Pom Macro as a Replacement for Chaeto?
It appears that the chaeto macroalgae (Chaetomorpha spp.) has become what Caulerpa was around the turn of the millennium: The
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Corals in a Box of Water: Creating a Natural Reef Tank
We’ve come a long, long way in advancing natural marine aquarium keeping. Those of us who started out in the 80’s with barren
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Mixed Macros in the Planted Refugium
There are plenty of reasons to install a planted refugium into your reef aquarium system. You might culture macroalgae for numerous
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Chaeto for Major Tank Cleaning
Whether from a lack of experience, or an abundance of neglect, some aquarists allow their reef tanks to reach a state of utter
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Red Macroalgae for the Moderately Illuminated Refugium
While there are many species of green, brown and red macroalgae (i.e. multicellular algae) in nature, it is the greens and reds that
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A Look at the Pom Pom Macroalgae
Of all the genera of macroalgae regularly used in planted refugia, Gracilaria quite arguably has the most representatives. While there
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Macroalgae for Beginners
Macroalgae is a large type of algae that is mostly beneficial and is used mainly to fight nutrient levels and microalgae growth. It is
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Eliminating Detritus in the Refugium
Ever feel like no matter how much time you spend cleaning your tank, it can never really ever get clean? Detritus build-ups can be
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Manipulating Nutrient Levels to Control Algal Growth
Ahhhh… A freshly set up and (just now) fully cycled marine aquarium. Nutrient Free, No algae. No slime. Clean, shiny,
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Holy Grail Seaweeds: Are There Really Premium, Rare Macroalgae?
It is almost inevitable that people will pick “the pretty ones” out of the bunch. Many popular ornamental species/cultivars (koi,
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Cultivating Ogo and Sea Lettuce for Your Tangs
These days, it seems that most marine aquarists are reef aquarists. And reef aquaria almost always house one or more tangs. This should
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Phytoplankton, Macroalgae, or BOTH?
As marine aquarists, we might think of algae as being divided into three (maybe four) distinct categories: the benthic (i.e.
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