Sargassum, culture   6/9/07
Hello, I have searched your site and have found many answers to my many dilemmas and for that I am greatly appreciative. Many thanks. I went deep sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean and collected some Sargassum Algae. My intent is to culture these algae for a fish only tank. This tank is 150 gallons with a Dogface Puffer, Blonde Naso Tang, Foxface, Passers Angel, and some assorted Damsels that all love to eat algae. I am under the impression that this is not a very palatable algae and grows vigorously which would be ideal for this tank both aesthetically and for nitrate exportation.
<About right... though the Naso will very likely consume this>
I have rigged up a makeshift quarantine in a five gallon bucket with a Coralife 18 watt power compact light and a power head pumping water over a handful of bio-balls from a cycled tank.
<Good idea, as this genus supports a myriad of life forms>
I am going to put a Damsel in this "tank" for the production of waste and carbon-dioxide with frequent changes of water from an established tank. Do you think this is practical?
<Mmm, yes>
Will this work?
This hobby is by far the most intriguing and interesting one I can think of.
Please advise, as I took quite a "ribbing" from the boat mates and my wife during my specimen collection on the fishing trip. Thanks, as always for a job well done! Wade
<I think you've got a great experiment going... See if you can culture this Phaeophyte... Likely will need to add supplemental Iodine/ide, alkaline and biomineral material along with water changes... Bob Fenner>