Marine aquarists and reef keepers are using macroalgae in their tanks as a source of natural filtration more frequently. Many reef
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Planted Display Tanks
Attitudes about algae are slowly changing amongst marine aquarists. For so long, with all the struggles with benthic microalgae (turfs, films, etc.), we were sure that algae are 100% bad and a scourge to avoid. But with the rise of refugia (specifically planted refugia), we saw an emerging appreciation for them--at least for certain macroalgae. Now, we’ve started to see an uptick (albeit a modest one) in the use of macroalgae for purely ornamental purposes like planted display tanks. Could this latest trend be a sign of the coming of an age of marine gardening? We certainly hope so! Even many veteran saltwater aquarists remain completely unaware of how many beautiful macroalgae species there really are. Sure, their colors are restricted mainly to greens, reds, golden browns and the occasional blues; their variety of form, however, is astounding. A cleverly arranged display of “macros” that highlights their contrasting hues and shapes makes for a strikingly gorgeous exhibit indeed. Sure, you could certainly mix ornamental macro species with the more utilitarian ones in your refugium. But a planted display tank is an altogether different sort of aquarium system in terms of water quality. Sure, you can specially tailor lighting or substrate in the fuge to suit your macros’ needs. On the other hand, when it comes to water quality, you would have to make some compromises (mainly to the advantage of the “main” tank). This is why planted displays are necessarily stand-alone systems. So, what are these big differences in water quality? The most notable are nutrient levels! Really, you wouldn’t want to run nitrates or phosphates much higher than in your reef system for fear of microalgae outbreaks; the major difference here is that you might actually have to regularly replenish nutrients (i.e. fertilize) in a planted system due to the comparatively rapid uptake! Similarly, because macros can be trace element sponges, there is a greater focus on trace element replenishment. In this section, you will learn of the many attractive and interesting macroalgae species to be cultivated ornamentally, how to fertilize, what kind of lighting is best and how to limit competition from nuisance microalgae.
15 Posts
To Tumble or Not to Tumble?
If you decided to use a refugium for filtration of the reef tank than you most likely know how you want to stock it. But, if you’re
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Is Sea Lettuce a Good Macroalgae for the Refugium?
If you are looking for a way to control nutrient levels in the reef tank, macroalgae is a great way to do it! You may have heard about
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What Light is Good for a Refugium?
Back in the early days of the hobby, there were not many choices when it came to lighting. The basic options for light fixtures were
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How Fast Does Macroalgae Grow?
A good portion of hobbyists will grow macroalgae in their reef tank systems. It has even become more common to see planted display
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How Red Mangrove Aquaculture is Improving the Waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Mangroves are trees that grow in the coastal waters in tropical and subtropical regions. The term mangrove is also used for referring
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How Red Ogo is Helping to Restore the US Pacific Coastline
We are taking a dive deep into the world’s oceans and reefs! At AlgaeBarn, one of our top priorities is promoting more sustainability
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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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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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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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The Marine Planted Tank: Creating Your Ocean Garden
You’ve successfully kept saltwater fish. Then you moved on to corals. Then, maybe you took on the slightly greater challenge of
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What is a Planted Marine Aquarium?
The cultivation of saltwater plants is nothing new. It has been fairly common for hobbyists to keep marine “plants” (more often
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Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca): The Most Underappreciated Macroalgae?
The use of macroalgae in marine aquaria has steadily increased over the years. Ever since they have become more widespread in the
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A Look at Seven Great Red Macroalgae For the Refugium
It's been a looong time since there was a "typical" refugium. And even if there was a typical sort of refugium today, it wouldn't look
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