Xenia or Macro Algea Fuge?

[pilot_bell777]

What is better for a fuge to keep the water cleaner, Xenia or Macor Algea?

[::pete::]

Xenia might work, but every tank is different. Macro will always work.

[BA]

ya in my new tank, i have two forty gallon sumps...one with caulerpa and macro...the other with xenia and mangroves, i wanna see how they work also...

[pilot_bell777]

I was thinking about using Mangroves and Macro.....and then putting a lot of Xenia in the main tank.....probably what I will do but just wanted to see what everyone else though.

[Tim Marvin]

I didn't vote because you didn't have a button for both.

[wkopplin]

I also have and vote for both (separate tanks, xenia is NOT in my main tank)

[BA]

Hey Blake, go ahead put a small patch of xenia that i got u in ur main tank....it's nice...i promise it won't spread....or take over...hehe :twisted:

[wkopplin]

I am not falling for that again......

[BA]

lol

[pilot_bell777]

Not a button for both because if you HAD to do one or the other, which would it be?

[Tim Marvin]

Macros

[Tim Marvin]

BUT,,,,,, You can grow both together.

[NaCl_H2O]

Xenia = "Reef Weeds"
I'm gonna move mine to the Fuge with my new setup!

[Instar]

I agree with Tim and Wkopplin - both. But, if someone passed legislation saying I could only have one it would be macro. So long as we live in a free country, write in my vote for both.

[wkopplin]

macro for me too, but then I would defect to Tortola where they let you keep both.

[Brett Wilson]

I think aiptasia, when properly controlled, grabs a lot of sediment out of the water. It also absorbs nutrients I do believe.
You'd have to have a way to keep it out of your main tank... they can be small enough to enter the water column and grow anywhere.

[RobertG]

MACRO, Forget that Xenia. It will take over!!! I have seen some tanks that just look like $#!* I thought to do both & forgot about it really fast.

[brewercm]

I like both, as long as you keep the xenia out of your main tank I think it makes a great looking fuge where the macro doesn't look as appealing if the fuge is viewable.

[Instar]

RobertG - Xenia in a xenia bed filter, not the main tank; Macro in the fuge(s). It has its place in some main tanks when controlled though. Ever see Troy's xenia tank? Its beyond cool with at least 10 billion pumping, pulsing xenia in it. Its just another world altogether. Looks almost sci-fi. I think they all pump at the same time like the Borg. :lol:

[Instar]

As for the aiptasia filter, I used to take Anthony Calfo seriously till he recommended that method.
Berghia are $25 each, order a pair and get a 25% discount and I'll toss a third in for free so you can get a trio for $40.
All things considered... maybe his advice is not so bad (for me) after all. Let me know how you make out with it TurboBrett. :-D :-D :-D
Oh, one more thing - you'll need at least 2 trio packs, one for each end of your reef if its a smaller tank ... :grin:
The entire point to this is -- If you don't have any aiptasia in your system, DO NOT DO IT!

[Brett Wilson]

I definately agree with instar. it seems like a neat idea proposed by Calfo ( I read it in his book) but I've personally never tried it because I dont have an aiptasia problem at this time....

[RobertG]

Sorry Larry I should say I would never have them in the main tank, nor the fuge. I asked Troy about how they move. He said they will move through the water. I would hate them in my main tank. I'm sure it looks cool, but what a PITA! MY fuge looks cool b/c of all the life moving in it. ( pods, worms , & more pods!) I just could not chance having the xenia get in the main tank.

[brewercm]

I don't think xenia can move just in the water column unless they get chopped up by a powerhead or something. They will definately spread though if you prune and miss a piece and it floats away and will go from rock to rock to glass until it is totally covered.