Fertilizing Saltwater Macroalgae in an Aquarium | How To PlantedReef

Fertilizing Saltwater Macroalgae in an Aquarium | How To PlantedReef
In this video we explore how to fertilize marine macroalgae so it grows well. This video is for all people growing macroalgae either in their sump refugium or in their main display. Chaeto macroalgae is the most popular for removing nitrate and phosphate from a reef tank however it is sometimes necessary to replenish the other micro and macro nutrients in the water so that the macroalgae and corals carry on growing well.
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[@EverydayAquarist]

This one is for all the macroalgae nerds out there 😜

[@ariumusa]

Do you think it would be ok to fertilize with guillards f/2 fertilizer ? (the one used in phytoplankton culturing)

[@adamschaafsma5839]

So good I had to watch this a couple times. You have the most comprehensive knowledge presented about macroalgae that I can find on KZbin so keep up the good work.

[@EverydayAquarist]

More coming soon!

[@tanksupdates7210]

I love your channel I’m so glad that you don’t follow The strict guidelines all these people push on you and you do your own thing the strict guidelines are you need to test you need to do this you need to do that but no I don’t even test my aquarium and I still have success and I’ve had many people argue with me but you prove that you don’t need to do all these things with simple methods

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks that is definitely my way of thinking. All my tanks are second hand ones I have repaired and I basically wing everything lol

[@aquariumanalytic754]

Thanks for this I am really considering starting marine/reef I’m a bit of a freshwater scrub

[@EverydayAquarist]

Just do it. It's really fun and you can go at your own pace

[@danigerzon6881]

@@EverydayAquarist hey bro nice video can you tell me you know if thats fertilizers that you show in video can work for nanochlorepsis ?

[@callmebigpapa]

For what is is worth I added glutaraldehyde to my fowlr tank and it killed most of the surface algae on the rocks and glass. I am not saying this is definitive just saying that is what happened in my tank. Great video as always I think macros are a exciting direction for the hobby!

[@queenblehofghosting8963]

Oh my goodness I’m so lucky to stumble on this video coz my red ogo algae is turning green

[@emby_mb]

That's the information I just needed. Thank you.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Great you are welcome

[@reeftaco]

Man I love your channel so much.i always recommend anyone that's getting into macroalgae to look at your channel. I have a question about a macro nutrient. What do you think about potassium? I feel like it's a important nutrient in plant growth.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks! It's not something I pay attention to. With a good schedule of water changes and regular dosing of a complete Fertiliser I find everything macroalgae needs is available

[@MrBrightfryed]

Great information, thanks for answering this question it’s been really helpful and so much clearer as to what’s needed long term 😁👍

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks for watching

[@koaleighhomestead2606]

Excellent video, with good information like this maybe I can finally succeed in growing some macro algae

[@ianshepherd6336]

Just got your wonderful macro algae delivered, brilliant packaging with warmer pack too... ; ) I’d be so interested in a liquid form macro algae feed when you settle on an ideal recipe for dosing regime to aquarium. I think as you say the powder form is more benefit for you or someone with large needs. Awaiting maybe another blog on that... So pleased I have come across your site... As an interested beginner I’d love recommendations of compact non runaway algae for interest focal points... recommend away and I’ll revisit for another purchase. Keep up the great work, it’s highly appreciated.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thanks, glad it arrived safely! I have developed a macroalgae micro nutritient feed that I currently use myself. I just need the space to put it into production which will be happening at some point this year

[@farmboy4189]

Thank you for the information. Been looking for a fertilizer for my planted reef tank.

[@smorc65]

I'd be interested to see how all-in-one freshwater fertilizers like NiloCG Thrive or Aquarium Co-op Easy Green would work for macros.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Probably fine. I have used other brands of freshwater Fertiliser and it worked well

[@MHAquaticsUK]

Thank you for this video!

[@EverydayAquarist]

No problem glad you liked it

[@mattod5491]

Nice work. Practical advice and entertaining 👍Have you considered using icp testing to monitor micros over longer term? That could be quite interesting, if a bit expensive

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yes I have considered it actually and I think it's probably the only way to properly dose ferts. I may do this for my larger and much older systems to see how my wc and Fertiliser has kept up over time

[@mujacko2002]

i did, way back in the late 2000s. it was DIY CO2 just like in my FW planted tanks. it was kind of an experiment but i believe the algae went crazy. If ever i'd try it again, i'll go first with the seachem co2 and apply it less than the recommended dosage just to see how it would go.

[@EverydayAquarist]

That is very interesting. Did you notice anything with your pH?

[@mujacko2002]

@@EverydayAquarist no, i did.not.test for PH. I just do.WC twice a week 10 to 20%, sometimes i used natural seawater and an unbranded saltmix. I am telling you it was a poor mans aquarium. Hahhaa. I recall there was (accdg to fellow aquarist it was an ulva) that circular jelly tyoe thing growing, it was getting large. Until, disaster struck because the bottom glass broke lose. But now, because of your vids i am getting enough courage to try it again soon. Anyway, there was an advise online, algaes do thrive in "dirty water". Maybe i'll put soil in it next time top with white sand. :-) thanks

[@EverydayAquarist]

I would love to see that experiment

[@jackpt1981]

Hi! Great and very helpful video! How is it possible to keep a Tomini tang with macroalgae? Isn't it eating them?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Ctenocheatus tangs don't eat macroalgae

[@jackpt1981]

@@EverydayAquarist Greta! Do you have any experince or knowledge if they eat bubble algae?

[@user-uj8kx8fq1h]

Great video! good information. Then,can you make a video about codium? I really love that macroalgae and wonder about their holdfast and lifecycle.

[@adamschaafsma5839]

I have a new tank I'm starting and I'm growing caulerpa prolifera to start and it's growing so fast. I have been testing Mg now and I was so low, I was like what the heck. I have been dosing Mg for 4 days, started at 885 down to 870 for 2 days and then this morning got it up to 900ppm only to see it drop to 870 hours later. I had no idea my macro algae could consume this much Mg.

[@jairuscaneso-solmirin3528]

What do you think of aquarium co ops easy green?

[@louise7141]

Great video. I can’t grow Chaetomorpha for love nor money. I’ve tried doing it in a ALR algae reactor and in a miracle mud refugium with kessil algae LED lighting. It just turns white and dies off. However nuisance glass and rock covering algae will grow. I have lots of greedy fat fish so I assume my nutrient input is fine... I think I’ll look at my magnesium after watching your video. Thanks

[@EverydayAquarist]

Sound like nutrients because the lights are good

[@louise7141]

I have a fish and invert only with live rock system. Big triggers, angels, puffers and a massive harlequin tuskfish. They kick out plenty of nutrients. I feed 6 times a day. I also dose Chaeto-Gro and test for iron. That’s been fine. I never thought about magnesium as I have no corals. I’m not testing the system really, just keep a stable routine with regular water changes. I run ozone too. Wonder if that could be hindering growth?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Something is missing

[@louise7141]

.... well I bought a new low range nitrate and phosphate test kit today. I have undetectable Nitrate and super low 0.5 phosphate! I guess my water change routine, skimming and biological filters are way too aggressive and doing to good of a job. Strange to get glass algae every few days considering. I’m just going to leave the water changes a bit longer and see how that works out with raising nutrients. Thank you for the help and the informative videos.

[@apdroidgeek1737]

They love nitrates

[@santosjefferson3479]

Can i use a piece of lava rock as source of iron?

[@yorksfolly1255]

is the newer version of flourish called "flourish advanced" safe to use?

[@roberttorres7208]

Any update of your own fertilizer?

[@ameliasukinterests5966]

Hi, i have just start up a UK native cold water marine tank recently and collecting the sea water by the coast. I then harvest some kelp, red dulse, pepper dulse and irish sea moss along with the hold fast to be plant in the tank. The tank setup system has a chiller external filtration to maintain the optimum temperature, hoping you could advice me on what brand of fertiliser which contain Iron and magnesium ready to use but to avoid copper and liquid carbon. Thanks in advance

[@ricardosilva-wq5rj]

Hello What are your parameters for your saltwater tank? Please. No3, po4, mg, kh, ph, calcium, etc.

[@ianshepherd6336]

My macro algae are romping away now, I’ve found a balance with corals and macro algae.. I have odd tips of Caulerpa Proliferas going clear but otherwise the plant is growing well. Is this a nutrient issue or a natural habit of this plant. I was wondering,,, have you done a trouble shooting stream of macro algaes, if not is that something you would consider as I for one would find it fascinating? I see it’s catching on now using macro in main display tanks, even BRS did a spot on it recently. I look forward to hearing from you…. Btw… how is your research into producing your own brand of nutrient coming along or did that sit on the back burner while you built and got your new fish/macro shed built?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Hello, I'm glad it's working out. Yeah macroalgae is definitely taking off in popularity. I have it made up now in powder form, I have 25kg ready. I'm working on branding and bottling now but as you said I'm a bit distracted by my new build, however that is also nearly completed.

[@michaelperry3694]

Corals use phosphate and nitrate as well

[@Charles-xu7pu]

Pro-tip: use shrimp-safe fertilizer. It's always copper-free.

[@adamdahlberg4403]

Great video Subbed and hit bell!!

[@EverydayAquarist]

Thank you!

[@xXGOOBERGAMESXx]

give us an updated on your fluval 32.5

[@EverydayAquarist]

OK will do soon

[@xXGOOBERGAMESXx]

@@EverydayAquarist Thank you, i just bought the tank and wanted to see what upgrades you've done to it.

[@ph6706]

Jealous of all your ochtodes. I remember I converted a tank to macro algae way back in 2011 or so and it turned pink and then clear for me and died. I too thought it was light causing it at the time and started experimenting with potassium nitrate and such I bought from someone in China on ebay. Soon after I just never got it quite right and wound up taking the tank apart and parting it out. Wish these resources were around, but back then 10+ years ago there weren't a whole lot of people growing macro algae. Maybe I'll get a nano one of these days and give it another shot.

[@chrisduncan3943]

So Seachem Flourish (they make several including iron and potassium) is okay in marine tanks? I'm turning my 55 gallon into a macroalgae tank.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yes

[@andrescontrerasvargas5865]

Hello! its possible to just use flourish and flourish iron?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yeah

[@andrescontrerasvargas5865]

@@EverydayAquarist Hello man, again with issues 😅do you run activated carbon on your tanks? 24/7?

[@carlosbarba4753]

Isn't bicarbonate sodium a way to add carbon for the macroalgae?

[@89enzopc]

Hi, seachem fluorish is good for marine planted tank? can I use in marine tank? is it safe for system and fish

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yes fine

[@user-uj8kx8fq1h]

okay this is a really good video and I have some questions. I added some red macroalgae (maybe it is gracilaria lauris) few days ago,and its color started to turn orange.Also,it usually happened to macroalgae exposed to light.This didn't happen often to macroalgae in the shade. I live in Korea and I'm not good at English.So,If I have a problem in my sentence,please excuse me.I also tried to find the reason in your video,but it was hard to understand on me.

[@EverydayAquarist]

Probably too bright light. My gracilaria mammilaris does the same thing if its too bright

[@user-uj8kx8fq1h]

@@EverydayAquarist Then,if I lower my light,will their color come back?

[@user-uj8kx8fq1h]

@@EverydayAquarist Thank you so much and have a wonderful day! :D

[@EverydayAquarist]

Maybe

[@user-uj8kx8fq1h]

@@EverydayAquarist thanks have a good day

[@enslavedplants1247]

I think shrimp safe fertiliser will be no copper?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yes

[@cbarbe02]

Just question when adding fertilizer do you shut the protein skimmer off or is it okay to keep it on thank you

[@EverydayAquarist]

Keep it on

[@pa3sRLP]

Can fresh water fertilizer like Seachem’s Flourish Iron be used with marine macro algae tank since it uses ferrous, and not ferric iron, that is soluble in any PH, and it is more easily uptaken through the foliage?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Yes

[@rosese11]

Can I put macro alg in brackish tank?

[@apdroidgeek1737]

I guess it would depend on how salty it is.

[@apdroidgeek1737]

The minimum is probably 1.018

[@apdroidgeek1737]

But like why just not make it a full blown saltwater tank

[@ariumusa]

would guillards F/2 work to fertilise macros?

[@EverydayAquarist]

It may do but I haven't tried it

[@ariumusa]

@@EverydayAquarist i ll give it a try

[@Reefspidey]

Would a hydroponics fertilizer be usable?

[@EverydayAquarist]

Probably, it's all basically the same

[@BugzNBeanz]

Is 13% iron too high of a dose for a 20 gallon Macroalgae aquarium? I was planning on using flourish iron but it’s only 1.0%

[@EverydayAquarist]

Flourish will be fine

[@enslavedplants1247]

Vodka as a carbon source?