Feeding a macroalgae grow-out tank

[d3rryc]

Hey, there!

In between QT sessions, I'd like to use my 20-gallon as a grow-out tank for macroalgae. My yellow tang HAMMERED some red dragon's breath faster than the algae could regenerate, and I'm about to add an orange-shoulder tang to the mix once his QT stint is done. I moved the dragon's breath down to the fuge to give it a chance to recover, but it didn't grow as vigorously there as I had hoped (maybe too much chaeto in there, too?). If I can use the 20-gallon as a macro garden, the idea is to use it to replenish the macro in the main tank as the tangs eat it up.

So a coupla questions: 1) Does anyone out there have a dedicated macro tank? 2) What's the best way to provide a relatively high nitrate/phosphate load to foster an optimum environment for algae growth, other than just pouring in food and letting the nitrogen cycle run its course?

Thanks!
Derry

[ratboy]

Use your water change water in your macro tank. You could also try a non aquarium bulb. Try experimenting with various cheapo bulbs from HD.

[barderer]

Easy. Use tap water to mix the salt. And use a 6500K day light bulb. You can get them at home depot for 6 bucks.

[d3rryc]

My nitrates in the main tank pretty well stay at zero, but I hadn't thought of using tap water in the macro tank. Thanks for the suggestion.

Any other ideas out there?

[alton]

If you need to add liverock to your tank, you could use a small piece of uncured liverock in your 20 gallon?