What is in your Sump / Refug ?

Croman · 11/30/2008, 08:31 AM

I have just setup my sump with a Refug. I have noticed that the refug is starting to get coated with which looks like red algae. I have sume aragonite on the bottom with some macro algae growing on the rocks. Should I add some snails - I am worried of them getting into my return pump.

ginger7286 · 11/30/2008, 08:55 AM

Is it red slime? If so it is probably Cyno-bacteria. You can get some powder to put in it to kill it. You'll have to do a water change sometime during the next 48 hours. It works pretty good but it does not cure what is causing it to grow. You probably have high phosphates (usually the red slime cause). get a good test kit and check. Clean your reg/sump with your vaccum hose and keep up on your water changes and keep your phosphates under control. Good luck

lamboraf · 11/30/2008, 10:02 AM

Ginger is right.

FranktheTankTx · 11/30/2008, 11:06 AM

I have yet to see many refugiums that do not have red slime algae growing in them. It's ok - most refugiums have low flow. Put 3 - 5x flow in your DT for a month and watch cyano grow everywhere. You can try to rid the refugium of cyano, but better it's in the refugium rather than the DT.

Phillybean · 11/30/2008, 11:14 AM

I have red slime in my fuge. Never had any in the display so Im not worried. The different lighting spectrums combined with slow flow cause this IME.

FranktheTankTx · 11/30/2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phillybean
I have red slime in my fuge. Never had any in the display so Im not worried. The different lighting spectrums combined with slow flow cause this IME.

Smart man! I wouldn't worry one bit with algae's growing in your refugium. That's where you want them to grow - as they consume all excess nutrients there - thus DO NOT grow in the DT.

Phillybean brings up one more good point - most of us burn 6700k bulbs over a refugium to grow macro algae. Red slime algae loves this K rating as well. Again - nothing to worry about.

Croman · 11/30/2008, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the reply. I thought so. But is it worth having any snails in the refugium?

11/30/2008, 08:31 AM	#1
Croman Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 222	What is in your Sump / Refug ? I have just setup my sump with a Refug. I have noticed that the refug is starting to get coated with which looks like red algae. I have sume aragonite on the bottom with some macro algae growing on the rocks. Should I add some snails - I am worried of them getting into my return pump. __________________ 70G DAS H99 (In Tank) 20 Gallon Sump 1 - 54w T5 DD Actinic+ 1 - 54w T5 DD Aquablue 1 - 54W T5 AS 22000K 1 - 39w T5 DD Actinic+ 1 - 39w T5 UVL Aqua Sun 1 - 39w T5 DD Actinic+ Softies / SPS / LPS Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon DAS

11/30/2008, 08:55 AM	#2
ginger7286 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lake Worth, Florida Posts: 728	Is it red slime? If so it is probably Cyno-bacteria. You can get some powder to put in it to kill it. You'll have to do a water change sometime during the next 48 hours. It works pretty good but it does not cure what is causing it to grow. You probably have high phosphates (usually the red slime cause). get a good test kit and check. Clean your reg/sump with your vaccum hose and keep up on your water changes and keep your phosphates under control. Good luck __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting "Holy crap...what a ride!" Current Tank Info: 125 Reef Tank, Precision Marine equipment with a live rock/sand filtration. 30G. Nano with 2 percs and a beautiful little Flaming Prawn Goby.

11/30/2008, 11:06 AM	#4
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	I have yet to see many refugiums that do not have red slime algae growing in them. It's ok - most refugiums have low flow. Put 3 - 5x flow in your DT for a month and watch cyano grow everywhere. You can try to rid the refugium of cyano, but better it's in the refugium rather than the DT. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

11/30/2008, 11:14 AM	#5
Phillybean Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kelowna B.C. Posts: 610	I have red slime in my fuge. Never had any in the display so Im not worried. The different lighting spectrums combined with slow flow cause this IME. __________________ It's not how much is costs that matters, it's how much you told your wife it costs!

11/30/2008, 05:53 PM	#7
Croman Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 222	Thanks for the reply. I thought so. But is it worth having any snails in the refugium? __________________ 70G DAS H99 (In Tank) 20 Gallon Sump 1 - 54w T5 DD Actinic+ 1 - 54w T5 DD Aquablue 1 - 54W T5 AS 22000K 1 - 39w T5 DD Actinic+ 1 - 39w T5 UVL Aqua Sun 1 - 39w T5 DD Actinic+ Softies / SPS / LPS Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon DAS

11/30/2008, 10:02 AM	#3
lamboraf Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Visalia California Posts: 62	Ginger is right.