Welcome to Day 13 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Saltwater Aquarium Challenge.
One of the simplest and best things I ever did to build a better saltwater aquarium was to Add Some Macro Algae to my sump. I added chaetomorpha algae,(affectionately called “chateo”), but you could certainly add any other species you can find at your local fish store.
If you don’t have a sump, that’s okay, you can add it directly to your tank. If this is the case, I recommend you stick with chaetomorpha or halimeda, rather than some of the more invasive caulerpa species. They will grow well, but perhaps too well.
Adding macro algae to your sump or aquarium does three important things:
- The fishes, corals and foods you feed them create waste. That waste is actually algae fertilizer.
- It also acts as a home for copepods and amphipods and will help improve the biodiversity in your tan
- You can also feed small amounts to tangs, angelfish, rabbitfish or other herbivores.
The macro algae helps keep your water clean and otherwise algae-free by removing those pollutants from the water that would cause problem algae spikes, magically scrubbing your water.
There are even ornamental macro algae available today that look stunning in your display or sump.
Build a better saltwater aquarium today and add some macro algae to your tank.
This is a simple and effective way to keep nutrient loads down while simultaneously improving the biodiversity in your tank.
If you already have macro algae growing in your tank, sump or refugium, consider improving the biodiversity even further by adding a second type of algae, or even mangroves..
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