refuge causing algae

Ever since i got my refuge set up i've had some algae in there that i didn't have before. I have brown, green, and red cyno. I didn't have them like i do now before i got the refuge. I've noticed that i have some red and brown algae in there but i have macro algae and mangroves. That's supposed to stop them. I also noticed that i have some nasty stuff in my first compartment of my refuge. It's like nasty bubbles and nasty stuff on the surface and below it. I don't think i have any room for a protein skimmer. I think thats also causing it. It's like nasty looking slime and goo in my fuge.can somebody help.

 

How long has the refugium been up? What is the flow and lighting in your refugium? Besides, macroalgae + mangroves, what else is in there? How are your water parameters?

 

I've had it set up for about a month now and i have a 652 gph Rio as a return and a 18 watt PC over it. That's all i have in there is macro and mangroves besides pods. My nitrates are at 0 and i'm not sure what my phosphates are.

 

Your refugium will have its' own cycle and maturation process. It will take time for your macro algeas to become established and uptake the nitrates and phosphates. Until then you will have diatoms, green algea, and cyano bacteria. The diatoms will disappear when the silica is gone.

Remember, patience, eh?

 

[quote author=Craig_Manoukian link=board=Refugium;num=1094066150;start=0#3 date=09/01/04 at 13:04:34]

Remember, patience, eh?[/quote]

HL14,

Just want to support Craigs comments, be patient, it is just doing what is normal, cycling

John

 

actually i've had my refuge for 2 months and i've had my main tank for 9 months. should i buy anything else for my refuge. does it take the same amount of time to cycle as my main tank.

 

Probabably wont take as long because the main tank is acting a bit like a fuge for the fuge at the moment. Once it settles and the algae blooms subside you will know everthing is OK

John

 

i thought that after your tank cycles it wont have diatom blooms. i mean it's been 10 months acutally. i'm seeing some coraline algae spots developing on my tank wall. I have green algae and brown and red cyno. Which makes my tank look ugly. I'm gonna change my canister filters pad and hopefully that will make a difference. because the cyno is right by my filter intake.

 

Why did you think that? Diatoms are always there

John

 

yeah but after a tank cycles the nitrates go down. I also have cyno and green. it's ugly