[brooke]

I'm in the process of setting up a refugium, and I'm not sure what kind of macro to put in it. I really want to lower my nitrates, which hover around 20. I'm not sure what kind of macro to get. Some of the info I've read states that some of it goes "sexual" and for some reason that's not good. What does that mean exactly, going sexual? From experience, what's the best macro for a reef setup?

[Reefland]

The phrase "going sexual" is referred to as mass amounts of spores being released from macroalgae (usually Caulerpa sp.) which in turn allows the algae to grow everywhere in your tank, even places that are undesireable. The mass release of these spores can be so severe that your entire tank may appear green as the water is so full of the spores. Another way it is used is when the algae completely dies out quickly and releases all of the nutrients it has absorbed into the water. The problem here is the mass increase in available nutrients chokes out your desireable invertebrates sometimes leading to the demise. In my opinion, the first example is the best definition of the phrase.

There are some ways to prevent or limit the probability opf this happening. First is to keep the algae pruned by removing portions of it regularly. This is also the way to actually export nutrients from your tank. The other is to light the algae 24/7; which may or may not prevent this from occuring.

With that said, I will refer you to Anthony Calfo's 3 part article on the Best Plants and Algae for Refugia in early editions of Reef Hobbyist Online:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/1104/main.php
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0105/main2.php
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0305/main3.php

[brooke]

Wow, everything I ever needed to know about macro. Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I love this place!!

[Reefland]

Glad it was helpful for you.

[saltjunkie]

ill be doing some reading in the AM...