Help with Macro Algae

[Markbb]

Hello All,

A quick question on my refugium and more specifically my macro algae. I have a fairly new 90 gal tank up and running. It has a very light load with 2 clowns and 4 coral frags. The tank is supported by a basement 100 gal sump, in that sump I use a rubbermaid 30 gal tub for a refugium. It is lighted by a compact 5500K daylight bulb that I keep on for 12 hours at night. The sump only has had chaeto in it and the problem is it will not grow...It pretty much just masses up into a brown glob.. I have some Halimeda in the main tank and it seems to be going ok. Chemistry seems good at this point do I have a lighting issue, a light duration issue.. I am a big believer in the refugium and do not want to start loading the tank till I figure this out.

Thanks,
Mark

[scubasteve06]

I would think that unless you drilled some holes in the rubbermaid then it would not have enough flow to support the chaeto. Chaeto needs flow in order to thrive. When I was using a rubbermaid as my sump, too used a small rubbermaid tupperware to put my chaeto in. I drilled holes in it so some flow could go in and out. I turned it over once a day so that each side got enough light and flow. Try drilling some holes in it and see what happens. If there is not enough flow in your sump then you might need to up it, or put a small nano koralia or some other powerhead in there to get some flow going.

[Markbb]

Thanks for that idea... one update is I have my overflow from the tank draining right into the refugium so the flow is pretty good as far as fresh water coming in.

Mark