MACROALGAE

Macroalgae such as chaetomorpha, halimeda and branching coralline algae are a straightforward way to strip nitrate and phosphate out of a reef or fish tank. Grown in a refugium or sump under a light, they compete with nuisance algae for nutrients and give copepods somewhere to breed and hide. A bag of chaeto or a refugium starter pack is one of the cheapest changes you can make to long-term water stability. Availability depends on how much has grown out since the last harvest.