Setting up 2 foot tank to grow macroalgae

[Marine_Tank]

Hi Fellow Marine Fish Enthusiasts,

Thinking of setting up a separate tank just to grow macroalgae for my main tank which has high nitrate level . I have too many live rocks which came with the macroalgae plants purchased from LFS. Guess this is not a cost effective and viable long-term solution. I don't have a sump or refugium to grow these plants or to hold the live rocks in the long run. Neither can I use a hang-on external refugium becos' of the closed-up design of my tank.

Have a few questions to ask here:-

1. What equipments do I need for this set-up esp lighting hardware ? I have a normal 2 (L) ft x1 (B)x 1.4(H) tank which you can get from any aquarium shop outside ?

2. Can you use a over-the- top filtration system that is commonly use d in a freshwater set-up for Luo Han fish ?

3. What kind of PH or water parameters are required for the plants to grow ? What is the best conditions in terms of nutrients i.e. iron, minerals and lights etc....

Need any other special test kits or add special plant nutrients ?

4. Do I need to add any fish or invertebrates i.e. snails, shrimps which will complement the growth of the macroalgae ? Is there a need to recycle the water if you need to put this livestock inside ? Need a DSB also ?

5. Can I grow a few different kinds of macroalgae in the same tank ? Any good macroalgae that are very hardy and can absorb nitrates in main tank ?

6. Can I use the main tank water as top-up and also as recycled water to set up the tank ?

7. Can I position this tank near to a window so that it can have plenty of sunlight ?

8. How is the level of maintenance for such a kind of tank in terms of costs and time ? Pls enlighten me if you know

As the nitrate level in my main tank is rather high i.e. > 50 ppm, I am thinking of transferring the macroalgae plants out to this tank so that I can let it grow and flourish again either before they die off in the course of time or get eaten up by the livestocks in the main tank. Have anyone try this before ?

Pls let me know if there is any other matters that I need to know regarding this special set-up.

Appreciate your great help and assistance here.

[darren]

it sounds like this macro algae tank and your main tank is not going to be connected? if so, how is the algae going to reduce the nitrates in your main tank?

[Marine_Tank]

I will just transfer the macroalgae to the main tank. It acts as a form of food fr the fishes and also for display purpose. Guess there is not much different in controlling nitrate in this way as I am not using a sump or refugium.

[darren]

don't think it will be effective in controlling nitrate in this way. it will be pretty insignificant? you mean taking your algae rock in and out of the tank?

[scanman]

i think he meant putting the marcoaglae into the main tank for good .... currently i m trying out this method i...... still monitoring the nitrate readings ... theoretically, i think it should work provided yr livestock does not feed on it ....(e.g. tangs , etc)

[CKS]

constantly changing of depth or location will discourage growth..thats in the case of coral..not sure about macroalgae..plz keep us updated with ur observation