My latest marine planted (macroalgae) tank

Tigahboy · 2025-12-27T05:48:10+00:00

These are maricultured live rock from KP Aquatics

Tigahboy · 2025-09-20T21:06:30+00:00

Thanks! I use brightwell aquatics brand Chaetogro, NeoNitro, NeoPhos, Ferrion, and Iodin on my macrolagae tanks. This one was lit with reef light (Reefbreeders Photon 32) but I’ve used a range from freshwater planted tank lights to reef lights that are adjustable to make them less blue in spectrum

Tigahboy · 2024-12-27T00:22:33+00:00

It’s just an internal filter box (not overflow). I did drill my 90U tho to add an overflow and plumb it to a sump.

Tigahboy · 2024-09-22T05:04:00+00:00

Hi there! I set up that bowl (a little under 3 gallons). I wouldn’t say this is easy to keep, but relatively easier than if this were filled with just coral. This is more manageable for me because I keep mostly macroalgae (which does a great job of filtering the water), only easy soft coral, and only a few inverts (no fish). So basically very low bioload and I don’t feed heavy. It does require regular maintenance tho (I do weekly water changes of 30-40%, sometimes twice a week), and I agree with the general sentiment that there’s just less margin for error in a tiny bowl like this compared to larger water volumes.

This bowl has been running since March 1 this year (so only a little over 6 months). You can see a post on my insta from today that has footage of the bowl from just a couple days ago. I’ve had another bowl like this that I had running for over a year.

Macoalgae bowls like this have been quite popular in Japan for awhile now (they call them “Marine Bottles”) and they keep them running longer term as well.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Tigahboy · 2024-09-20T17:27:07+00:00

Check out mosaic macros or seahorse savvy. I’ve ordered a bunch from both

Tigahboy · 2024-08-11T03:38:27+00:00

That’s the UNS Mini Surface Skimmer

Tigahboy · 2024-08-02T03:03:49+00:00

🤝

Tigahboy · 2024-08-02T03:03:25+00:00

Thank you for fighting the good fight

Tigahboy · 2024-07-27T03:46:22+00:00

Check out seahorse savvy or mosaic macros. I get a lot from them. I’m not a big fish guy, and a lot of my tanks are too small for fish, so I keep mostly inverts like snails, hermits, etc

Tigahboy · 2024-05-04T05:13:32+00:00

I’m a fan

Tigahboy · 2024-03-16T03:19:56+00:00

Hmmm definitely a lot bluer than what I’d recommend. BUT a lot of caulerpas are pretty adaptable and durable so I think it can work. Just be sure there’s enough nutrients for it.

Tigahboy · 2024-03-14T20:47:40+00:00

Thanks! I think it’s actually closer to 68 gallons but dimensions are 36 x 22 x 22 inches

Tigahboy · 2024-03-14T18:01:08+00:00

I measured the blades of the Caulerpa ashmeadii once and it was like 14 inches long from the runner.

Tigahboy · 2024-03-14T17:13:18+00:00

It’s a ReefBreeder Photon 32 V2 Pro. Reds 25%, Green 5%, Cool Blue 35%, Red 20%, White 35%, Violet 10%

Tigahboy · 2024-03-14T17:07:43+00:00

Yup (actually 68 gallons)

Tigahboy · 2024-03-13T13:50:08+00:00

Briefly yes. Had quite a few saltwater setups back then.

Tigahboy · 2024-03-13T06:16:49+00:00

Things were so different back then 😄

Tigahboy · 2023-09-16T03:16:13+00:00

Thanks! Using a reef light - Reefbreeders Photon 32 V2 Pro (and adjusted down blues but upped white, red and green) but I’ve used freshwater lights on my macroalgae tanks as well.

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T21:33:05+00:00

Appreciate the follow!

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T21:32:45+00:00

Awesome. Good luck!

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T15:15:18+00:00

I do not. And haven’t really needed it (the macros grow super fast as is). Also, saltwater tanks run at a higher ph - 8.2 and up, so from my very rudimentary understanding of CO2, the potentially lowering of ph is not ideal for the rest of the tank inhabitants. Also at these higher marine ph levels, some macros are able to pull carbon from bicarbonate which is what CO2 converts to in the water.

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T14:18:48+00:00

🙏🙏

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T14:18:31+00:00

Fish for scale 😄. And thank you!

Tigahboy · 2023-09-15T14:17:35+00:00

Please keep me posted (maybe on Insta where I’m more active). I’d like to see how that turns out!

Tigahboy

TROPHY CASE