refuge causing algae

As all new tanks do my friend, it's all part of what happens with a newer set up.

John

 

I've got a similar fuge setup, 20 lbs of live sand, 10 lbs of live rock and some nice razor caulerpa that is growing like mad all under an 18 watt PC. I just finished a vacuum of the main tank to try and get some of the red slime off the sand bed. I actually only succeeded in burying it to be honest, it's too heavy for my vac to pick up. [smiley=annoyed.gif]

I put a turbo snail in my fuge last week to take care of the green micro..it was getting to the point where I couldn't see anything! I am completely amazed at what 1 snail can do in a weeks time! Think I'll put a couple of my new red-leg hermits in there to eat some of the cyano that is developing. Maybe getting some of that stuff consumed will reduce the amount going into the water column. [smiley=cool3.gif]

 

ok so i should buy some red legged crabs and some snails for my fuge too. What should i do about the green bubbling slime on the water surface in my fuge. that might also be whats causing the algae blooms.

 

Algea doesn't cause algea. There is a source of nitrates and or phosphates that are the source of your blooms. Your tank is going to be in a state of flux as long as you have it and these things are part of the territory. You'll drive yourself and us crazy if you think you can have a tank with no algea.

 

yeah but is that green bubbly stuff on my fuges surface normal.

 

Yes it is 'normal ' HL14 It's just another type of algae growing on a different surface. You could try somehow skimming the surface manually to remove it or maybe agitating the surface with a powerhead or something.

Either way it will eventually go away once the food source is under control. So instead of concentrating on the symptom ( the algae ) look closely at the disease ( the nutrients )

John

 

Yes, with lower water flow which is required for the refugium!

 

what do u mean lower my overflow box is 500 gph. and my return pump is rated at 652 gph but i have it at lower due to the flow control. What do you mean nutrients under control i've never seen this algae before i almost need a protein skimmer but none will fit in it.

 

Think HL14, Think!

Read what was written "with lower water flow that is REQUIRED for the refugium"

Algae doesn't live without nutrients, simple

John

 

I'll disagree a little with the statement:

A refugium is a refuge from predators. In my fuge, I have no lights, no macroalgae or substrate of any kind. I have a lot of flow in there, with plenty of LR and loads of rubble. It is simply a place for pods and added biofiltration. The flow in a refugium depends on what you have in there.