Calupra needs in a cycling tank

I have a new tank cycling with new live rock curing in there as well. I have calupra in the fuge but it doesn't seem to be doing too good. What exactly does calupra need to thrive? I have them under 24/7 lighting and my params are currently.

Ammonia >8ppm
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0

 

ammonia is still high...others may disagree but in my opinion having a microalgae within the system while it's cycling won't really do much, then again i can't see the harm in having the algae in there either. if the caulerpa is starting to lose it's coloration or if the tank cycling is taking it's toll on the algae, simply remove it to a seperate holding container until your tank has cycled...

once you add the caulerpa back into the fuge, try to light up the fuge (with a small light on it's own timer) on a reverse photoperiod in relation to your main lights. this will be more than adequate to keep a microalgae and it will help stabilize your PH too. HTH.

 

Ammonias are a source of food for the algae But also is Nitrites and phosphates and unless you have them all in correct amounts you will maybe kill the algae from ammonia burn . Like when old Granny used to fresh of chicken dropping to feed her shrubs the ammonia was to intense and it needed to age a bit first LOL ..
So I'd have to agree with Jonathan that its a bit early for the algae it will starve to death and turn white and die and when it dies it can release some nasty stuff. Also if you run a fuge you need carbon to keep the water from turning yellow and to absorb many of the waste the alga can and will release. You might want to remove the algae for a few weeks or months until there is enough nutrients to feed it.. A refugium is no magic bullet but if ran properly can do wonders for a systems health over all..

 

Calurpa rarely has enough "food" to sustain it in a new tank so that's probably what you're experiencing. Concerning your light cycle, I find it detrimental to light a fuge 24/7 because macro algaes need night and day cycles in order to consume nutrients. The use of CO2 during the day and the use of O2 during the night is a necessary cycle. Also, the overall health and growth of the macro will be inhibited. That being said, I would run my fuge lights on a reverse cycle rather than 24/7.