Algae Coral and Fish Together. Is it Possible ?

Nappy · 01-22-2011, 05:38 PM

Hello everyone.

I have been in freshwater for quite some time, but want to go saltwater also. I was adviced by BeaslBob about some options, which include building or having a refugium and maybe an ATS, both sound ok to me, BUT, I am a plant fan, so I did some research on algae, finding a couple of nice looking species.
My question here would be:

What kind of fish will not feed on algae on a saltwater tank so that I can keep the best of the three worlds, meaning algae, nice fish and corals altogether?

Because I heard that some marine fish will completely trim-off some algae species in a matter of hours lol.

NeonShark666 · 01-22-2011, 08:46 PM

In the natural world Algae and Corals don't usually exist together. Coral Fishes, like Damsels, readily eat Algae they find in their environment. A natural Coral environment is very low in Nitrates so most Algae can't get started.

Nappy · 01-23-2011, 05:44 PM

I understand, but then, if I had corals and I need a refugium in order to have a good water quality how would the algae survive, given that the refugium would be in the same "stream" of water?. I mean in the refugium the macros will have to somehow survive right ?

csingh07 · 01-27-2011, 11:00 AM

I don't understand 100% what you are asking, but I will say that it is quite common to keep corals, fish, and macro algae in the same tank. Whether it is in a display or refugium. Fish (and corals, but very insignificantly) produce organic waste which is eventually undergoes nitrification into NO2 and NO3 which algae consumes. Like everything in our hobby, there needs to be the correct balance, too much macro algae and too little nutrients = stressed and sexualified macro's... However, too many nutrients = ammonia and nitrogen spikes which corals and fish don't like.

01-22-2011, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nappy Nappy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 90 Name: Nappy Location: Colombia (South America) My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 20 Times Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Algae Coral and Fish Together. Is it Possible ? Hello everyone. I have been in freshwater for quite some time, but want to go saltwater also. I was adviced by BeaslBob about some options, which include building or having a refugium and maybe an ATS, both sound ok to me, BUT, I am a plant fan, so I did some research on algae, finding a couple of nice looking species. My question here would be: What kind of fish will not feed on algae on a saltwater tank so that I can keep the best of the three worlds, meaning algae, nice fish and corals altogether? Because I heard that some marine fish will completely trim-off some algae species in a matter of hours lol. __________________ ________________________________ 200 Lt Planted tank Valisnera spiralis Hygrophila polysperma Cryptocorine becketii petchi Amazone swords (3 different varieties) Hygrophila polysperma (a giant variety) Corkscrew valisneria Rotala Hygrophila difformis Hygrophila angustifolia Java moss Java fern Population: 30 Tetra cardinals 5 Swordtails 2 Mollies 4 Zebras 2 Plecos 6 Black dot tetras.

01-22-2011, 08:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
NeonShark666 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 806 Name: Jim Location: Salem, Oregon Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 78 Times Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 247 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Algae Coral and Fish Together. Is it Possible ? In the natural world Algae and Corals don't usually exist together. Coral Fishes, like Damsels, readily eat Algae they find in their environment. A natural Coral environment is very low in Nitrates so most Algae can't get started.

01-23-2011, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nappy Nappy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 90 Name: Nappy Location: Colombia (South America) My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 20 Times Said "Thanks" 67 Times Was Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Algae Coral and Fish Together. Is it Possible ? I understand, but then, if I had corals and I need a refugium in order to have a good water quality how would the algae survive, given that the refugium would be in the same "stream" of water?. I mean in the refugium the macros will have to somehow survive right ? __________________ ________________________________ 200 Lt Planted tank Valisnera spiralis Hygrophila polysperma Cryptocorine becketii petchi Amazone swords (3 different varieties) Hygrophila polysperma (a giant variety) Corkscrew valisneria Rotala Hygrophila difformis Hygrophila angustifolia Java moss Java fern Population: 30 Tetra cardinals 5 Swordtails 2 Mollies 4 Zebras 2 Plecos 6 Black dot tetras.

01-27-2011, 11:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
csingh07 Nanoreefer csingh07's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 100 Location: Champaign, IL Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Algae Coral and Fish Together. Is it Possible ? I don't understand 100% what you are asking, but I will say that it is quite common to keep corals, fish, and macro algae in the same tank. Whether it is in a display or refugium. Fish (and corals, but very insignificantly) produce organic waste which is eventually undergoes nitrification into NO2 and NO3 which algae consumes. Like everything in our hobby, there needs to be the correct balance, too much macro algae and too little nutrients = stressed and sexualified macro's... However, too many nutrients = ammonia and nitrogen spikes which corals and fish don't like.

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