Sargassum Macroalgae
Picture taken September 2001, Nikon CoolPix 950 digital camera, no flash

This is a very common macro algae that grown in new tanks these days. It was fairly uncommon when I started in the hobby, but live rock today is just loaded with it. It looks nice at first but gorws into towering plant like structures until it reach the water surface. The reefkeeper will look forward to months of manual removal until some limiting nutrient is gone and it stops growing.

The only fish I know of that will eat sargassum is the Naso. Since I have a Naso I had no issues trying to get this macroalgae growing in my sump. It would have been risky to introduce this to the tank without a fish that enjoys it.

This macro algae is great for nutrient export in that it will not go sexual like caulerpa does. However, it requires significant light levels grow such as Metal Halide, High Pressure Sodium or Mercury Vapor lighting. I grow it in my sump under two Lights of Amercia 65w Power Compacts. This would be about a weak as you can get and still show a decent growth rate.