Macroalgaee in sump

michaelr7170 · 02/25/2015, 04:51 PM

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are in having macroalgaee in their sump? Is this necessary? I am currently cycling a 90 gal with approx 90 lbs of rock, 90 lbs of sand. Planning to host fish and softies.

IanWR · 02/25/2015, 05:13 PM

Not necessary. Many people do, many do not. I am in the latter camp. But I do run GFO and GAC.

Sisterlimonpot · 02/25/2015, 05:15 PM

This is a great way to control nitrates and phosphates in your tank. Many people do this, I would recommend running chaetomorpha as it is an easy one to use that doesn't require too much thought in managing it. Some macroalgaes go sexual and will release spores throughout your tank resulting in a tank full of macroalgea growing everywhere. the goal is to keep it in your sump.

reelredfish · 02/25/2015, 05:20 PM

I have chaetomorpha as well as dragons breath. I will soon start harvesting some of the dragons breath to place in the display and see if either of the tangs will eat it.

I guess for me I also want to grow something that can be a fresh natural food for the tangs and chaetomorpha does not work for this purpose. However it is probably the best choice as for its very safe as mentioned already.

michaelr7170 · 02/25/2015, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the replies. Would a simple marineland led strip be ok for this purpose, down in my sump?

hijinks · 02/25/2015, 06:28 PM

You want to get a light in the 6500k color range. I picked up one for cheap at a hardware store

michaelr7170 · 02/25/2015, 06:35 PM

I went to Home Depot but highest kelvin I could find was 5000.. I'll have to check a few other places

Elmac1 · 02/25/2015, 07:06 PM

I find that it helps control algae in the display...l

02/25/2015, 04:51 PM	#1
michaelr7170 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 56	Macroalgaee in sump Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are in having macroalgaee in their sump? Is this necessary? I am currently cycling a 90 gal with approx 90 lbs of rock, 90 lbs of sand. Planning to host fish and softies.

02/25/2015, 05:15 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	This is a great way to control nitrates and phosphates in your tank. Many people do this, I would recommend running chaetomorpha as it is an easy one to use that doesn't require too much thought in managing it. Some macroalgaes go sexual and will release spores throughout your tank resulting in a tank full of macroalgea growing everywhere. the goal is to keep it in your sump. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

02/25/2015, 05:13 PM	#2
IanWR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 214	Not necessary. Many people do, many do not. I am in the latter camp. But I do run GFO and GAC.

02/25/2015, 05:20 PM	#4
reelredfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DFW,Area Posts: 798	I have chaetomorpha as well as dragons breath. I will soon start harvesting some of the dragons breath to place in the display and see if either of the tangs will eat it. I guess for me I also want to grow something that can be a fresh natural food for the tangs and chaetomorpha does not work for this purpose. However it is probably the best choice as for its very safe as mentioned already.

02/25/2015, 06:26 PM	#5
michaelr7170 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 56	Thanks for the replies. Would a simple marineland led strip be ok for this purpose, down in my sump?

02/25/2015, 06:28 PM	#6
hijinks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 505	You want to get a light in the 6500k color range. I picked up one for cheap at a hardware store

02/25/2015, 06:35 PM	#7
michaelr7170 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 56	I went to Home Depot but highest kelvin I could find was 5000.. I'll have to check a few other places

02/25/2015, 07:06 PM	#8
Elmac1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 91	I find that it helps control algae in the display...l