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A nice video presentation from a Hawaiian scientist on Halimeda. I found this video on Youtube and the presenter gives a very insightful view on Hawaiian Halimeda, its life cycle and general ecology. Worth the watch if you are interested in keeping this certain macro-algae.
Pictured above is a green Sinularia coral, one of nine colonies my main tank has. These corals are a very hardy soft coral that is similar in shape to colt (Cladiella) and tree (Nepthea) corals. Many beginner reefers often mistake the three, however you can tell the difference by looking at the stalk. The Sinularia coral has a very thick stalk where as tree corals do not. Colt corals are very feathery while Sinularia corals are not as feathery.
The Sinularia coral does best under intense lighting but I have kept these corals and propagated them under 130watts of pc lighting. So it does tolerate a wide range of lighting. They prefer a good amount of water movement but not direct laminar flow.
Sinularia are photosynthetic so you do not have to target feed them. They also seem to thrive in water rich in phosphates and nitrates (but so does hair algae).
I currently propagate my nine Sinularia colonies and sell them to a local fish store for store credit. They are extremely easy to propagate once they get a foot hold in your tank. My method is with a sharp pair of scissors or a razor blade and I either rubberband them to live rock or place the new frag into live rock rubble. When using the rubberband method take care not to wrap the rubberband to tightly around the coral.
The macro algae Chaetomorpha has become a reefers best friend in the last few years, beating out Caulerpa as the macro algae of choice. Chaetomorpha is generally placed in a refugium that is connected to a saltwater reef tank where It is usually balled up. This macro algae has many benefits to a reefkeeper but generally its sole purpose is to absorb nutrients such as nitrates.
This macro algae is very common in saltwater reef tanks and it is easily obtainable. It can be purchased through online stores, forums and ebay but the best way to get some is to just ask a fellow saltwater aquarist. Many people in reef clubs will trim down there chaetomorpha and give it away at swaps or just charge shipping if buying it online.
Chaeto as it is sometimes called has the ability to host a whole slew of saltwater organisms such as pods, mini stars, and worms. When properly cared for it grows into a dense ball that gives the organisms a place to hide. Chaetomorpha is preferred by reef tanks owners over Caulerpa becouse unlike Caulerpa it does not go sexual. When Caulerpa goes sexual it releases most of its nutrients it has absorbed and it could cause a tank crash. Using Chaetomorpha will help fight nuisance algae by feeding on nutrients that are used by nuisance algae thereby creating a healthy competition between the algae.
Chaetomorpha is best used in a refugium with a little flow and a light. A lot of reefkeepers have had success growing this macro algae with a basic compact fluorescent 75 watt (5100K) floodlight, although for best results its better to provide a stronger light.