Macroalgae's are a great addition to a reef aquarium. Mostly coming in the colours of red and green, they range from very slow growing (like Codium) to very fast growing (like Chaeto) and can be great for absorbing nitrates and phosphates as well as some being visually pleasing.
Some fish such as Tangs and Butterfly fish as well as others, can make short work of macroalgae as they have a huge appetite for veggies. Recommended to know your tank inhabitants before purchasing.
Dispatch days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, as this will be sent via Royal Mail Tracked 24, any orders placed on or after a Thursday, will be dispatched the following Monday. It's recommended to acclimatise macro algae as you would with any livestock.
Green Ulva Sea Lettuce macroalgae -
The size piece will be similar to that shown in the photos the 50p is for scale. This is guide, and you will receive more than this, but it will be in similar size pieces to that shown.
Ulva Lactuca or often called Sea Lettuce is a very palatable macroalgae which makes it a great natural food source for herbivore fishes like Tang & Foxface.
Personally, I grow this in a basket at the surface of my display tank under high lighting and strong flow. This has seen very fast growth, and I now attach pieces to a seaweed clip to allow my Tangs to nibble on it throughout the day.
This macroalgae has a high nutrient uptake, so if your nitrate and phosphate levels are minimal, then the chances are that this macroalgae won't fair well and I wouldn't recommend it.
Green Caulerpa Brachypus macroalgae -
You will receive a portion of Caulerpa Brachypus macroalgae similar in size to that in the photo, the 10 pence piece is for scale.
The Caulerpa Brachypus macroalgae is a fast growing macroalgae, which is great for nitrate and phosphate removal in a marine aquarium. The fronds are attached to a slim rhizome which will attach itself easily to rockwork.
A great macroalgae for helping to reduce nitrates and phosphates in an aquarium due to its high intake, but be aware that this can become almost invasive, so I would suggest keeping it away from your main tank, and keeping it in a separate vessel in the sump or refugium.
Blue Ochtodes Macroalgae -
A delicate specimen with its rare purple/blue colour. It is a fantastic addition to the marine tank and will add a beautiful and rare to find colour to the aquarium.
Blue Ochtodes is a highly sought-after macroalgae known for its vivid blue to violet iridescence under reef lighting. Although biologically a red macroalgae, its pigments reflect light in a way that produces its metallic blue coloration, making it one of the most eye-catching macroalgae used in marine aquascapes. It attaches itself to rock or substrate as it grows, slowly encrusting the area.
It has a dense structure which offers great hiding space for beneficial hitchhikers like copepods, rotifers.
The visual colour of this macroalgae will vary depending on your lighting.
The first photo is of this macroalgae in my refugium under strong blue light, the second photo is of it under strong red light.
This macroalgae is very delicate and brittle, so it requires careful handling.
Light: Medium to high, full-spectrum reef lighting. Brighter light brings out the fluorescent blue color, while lower light shifts it to a burgundy or brownish tone.
Water Flow: Medium to strong flow helps it maintain a dense, compact shape.
Stability: It dislikes sudden changes in salinity, temperature, or pH, which can cause it to collapse or turn white and die.
Growth Habit: It grows in dense, bushy mounds or mat-like structures.
Under ideal conditions with sufficient iron and nutrients, it can grow rapidly and spread via fragmentation, potentially overgrowing nearby corals or other macroalgae. Careful placement in the display tank is advised.
You will receive a small cutting of this macroalgae similar in size to that in the photo with the 50 pence piece being for scale.
PLEASE NOTE - Blue Ochtodes can change colour during transport it may arrive red, brown, white or grey, this is normal and once in your aquarium it will change back to its natural hue within a few days.
Red Hair Chondria Macroalgae -
A fine thread-like or hair-like form, growing in irregular branches that create dense tufts or clumps.
Its colouration is deep red to a brownish-red, varying depending upon the light it is under.
Photo number 2 is taken under intense blue light, while photo 3 is taken under more intense red light.
This macroalgae can attach itself to rocks, substrate, or other surfaces if water flow allows it to settle.
Lighting - Moderate light levels work best. Too much intense light can bleach or whiten the algae.
Flow - Moderate water movement helps prevent detritus from settling on its fine branches.
Palatability - Most grazing fish and herbivores tend to ignore it or find it less palatable compared to other macroalgaes because of its wirey texture, however there's always exceptions.
It has a dense structure which offers great hiding space for beneficial hitchhikers like copepods and rotifers.
You will receive a small cutting of this macroalgae similar in size to that in the photo with the 50 pence piece being for scale.