Algae in my sump but not display

Reefer07 · 03/07/2009, 12:11 AM

I seem to have a thick layer of red slime alge covering my chaeto in my sump along with a couple of the rocks. However, in the past few weeks the algae in my main tank has gone down significantly so I'm not complaining. I am really just looking for an answer as to why I have so much red slime in my sump and maybe a way to get rid of it.

Thanks,
Zac

herostar · 03/07/2009, 12:46 AM

It may have to do with the light you have over your sump. What are you using?

madadi · 03/07/2009, 12:54 AM

a lot of the time it is your bulb spectrum that has too much red and too little flow in the sump. you also have to remember that if the algae is dieing in your main tank, it will release nutrients that will get picked up by lower life forms. in this case, its the cyano in your sump. you can try lights out of three days in the sump. BUT if the cyano dies, it will release nutrients back in the water column and feed the algae in your display. use some GFO to pick off the phosphates circulating in your system and your algae and cyano problems will shrink. also, get a small power head in your sump and blow that chaeto around. they love the flow and will grow faster and the cyano hates the flow. its a win win thing.

Reefer07 · 03/07/2009, 09:57 AM

Really.....I didn't know that chaeto liked flow? I always thought you didn't want the water to go too fast through the sump because then you are defeating the purpose of it. I already tried using GFO once and I found that it kind of counter-acted the chaeto/did nothing. This was months ago when my algae was horrible. I ran GFO for 2 months and it didn't help with anything.
Some of my SPS are getting lighter in color as well which I am assuming is a sign of a lower nutrient system...?

As far as lighting on the sump, it is just a compact flourescent screw in bulb rated at a 75 watt output and 3500k I believe.
Since it is just a huge slime pile right on top of the chaeto what if I just take the chaeto out and rinse it off?

reefD · 03/07/2009, 10:52 AM

just keep an eye on it. like you said its not in the display so it is competing and winning the battle. as long as its in the sump i'd just keep an eye that no bloom occurs in the display...if it keeps occuring in the sump then so be it. as long as its not in the display. good luck

reefD · 03/07/2009, 10:53 AM

id use a 7500k bulb or 10000k in the sump.

03/07/2009, 12:11 AM	#1
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	Algae in my sump but not display I seem to have a thick layer of red slime alge covering my chaeto in my sump along with a couple of the rocks. However, in the past few weeks the algae in my main tank has gone down significantly so I'm not complaining. I am really just looking for an answer as to why I have so much red slime in my sump and maybe a way to get rid of it. Thanks, Zac

03/07/2009, 12:46 AM	#2
herostar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,024	It may have to do with the light you have over your sump. What are you using? __________________ Do a good turn daily. Current Tank Info: 58g Oceanic (Est. 2007)

03/07/2009, 12:54 AM	#3
madadi ReefOG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Morton grove, IL Posts: 3,976	a lot of the time it is your bulb spectrum that has too much red and too little flow in the sump. you also have to remember that if the algae is dieing in your main tank, it will release nutrients that will get picked up by lower life forms. in this case, its the cyano in your sump. you can try lights out of three days in the sump. BUT if the cyano dies, it will release nutrients back in the water column and feed the algae in your display. use some GFO to pick off the phosphates circulating in your system and your algae and cyano problems will shrink. also, get a small power head in your sump and blow that chaeto around. they love the flow and will grow faster and the cyano hates the flow. its a win win thing. __________________ -~adrian~- LETS TRADE YUMAS Current Tank Info: Glass box.

03/07/2009, 10:52 AM	#5
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	just keep an eye on it. like you said its not in the display so it is competing and winning the battle. as long as its in the sump i'd just keep an eye that no bloom occurs in the display...if it keeps occuring in the sump then so be it. as long as its not in the display. good luck __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

03/07/2009, 10:53 AM	#6
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	id use a 7500k bulb or 10000k in the sump. __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

03/07/2009, 09:57 AM	#4
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	Really.....I didn't know that chaeto liked flow? I always thought you didn't want the water to go too fast through the sump because then you are defeating the purpose of it. I already tried using GFO once and I found that it kind of counter-acted the chaeto/did nothing. This was months ago when my algae was horrible. I ran GFO for 2 months and it didn't help with anything. Some of my SPS are getting lighter in color as well which I am assuming is a sign of a lower nutrient system...? As far as lighting on the sump, it is just a compact flourescent screw in bulb rated at a 75 watt output and 3500k I believe. Since it is just a huge slime pile right on top of the chaeto what if I just take the chaeto out and rinse it off?