Refugium Redux

Buzz1329 · 03/19/2012, 05:00 PM

Not happy with the fuge section of my sump. I’m seeing hair, grape, and snot algae on the rock. Pulled out a lot of it doing a water change but it seems to come back. I’m starting to wonder if it’s worth it. The fuge seems to be generating more nasties than it’s worth. Thinking of pulling everything out and going with a “clean” sump. What do you think, sirs?

disc1 · 03/19/2012, 05:14 PM

Wait, I thought that was the purpose of a refugium. To grow algae for nutrient export.

Those "nasties" as you call them may be unsightly, but they are cleaning your water for you. Better to have them in the refugium than in the display. No?

Buzz1329 · 03/19/2012, 05:34 PM

Thanks. But I'm getting concerned that the sump monsters will find their way to the DT. Is that not a concern?

I was sort of thinking that the sump would be a virtuous place filled with righteous chaeto, not nuisance algae (NA). And BTW, my sump is chaetolicious but it's definitely not outpacing the NA.

jerpa · 03/19/2012, 08:51 PM

If you have the nasties in the refugium then they are in your system already. If you take away the place they like to grow, your refugium, then the next best option may be the display. You obviously have the nutrients in your system to feed them so they are going to appear somewhere. JMO

Playa-1 · 03/19/2012, 10:59 PM

I think if they are in growing in the sump then you are in good shape.

03/19/2012, 05:00 PM	#1
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Refugium Redux Not happy with the fuge section of my sump. I’m seeing hair, grape, and snot algae on the rock. Pulled out a lot of it doing a water change but it seems to come back. I’m starting to wonder if it’s worth it. The fuge seems to be generating more nasties than it’s worth. Thinking of pulling everything out and going with a “clean” sump. What do you think, sirs? __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

03/19/2012, 05:14 PM	#2
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Wait, I thought that was the purpose of a refugium. To grow algae for nutrient export. Those "nasties" as you call them may be unsightly, but they are cleaning your water for you. Better to have them in the refugium than in the display. No? __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

03/19/2012, 05:34 PM	#3
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Thanks. But I'm getting concerned that the sump monsters will find their way to the DT. Is that not a concern? I was sort of thinking that the sump would be a virtuous place filled with righteous chaeto, not nuisance algae (NA). And BTW, my sump is chaetolicious but it's definitely not outpacing the NA. __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

03/19/2012, 08:51 PM	#4
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	If you have the nasties in the refugium then they are in your system already. If you take away the place they like to grow, your refugium, then the next best option may be the display. You obviously have the nutrients in your system to feed them so they are going to appear somewhere. JMO

03/19/2012, 10:59 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I think if they are in growing in the sump then you are in good shape.