Recommendation for macro algae

BlackTip · 10/14/2015, 10:30 AM

I have a small refugium section in my sump, 12X18X20. It is fed by approx. 100gph from the return pump. The nozzle is placed just under the surface. My primary goal is to cultivate food. I have copepodes that seem to be doing ok. I want to have environment for them to thrive.

I tried Chaeto twice with bad result. The first ball came from a popular online vendor. The ball disintegrated within hours, and most of it made its way to the DT. The second ball came from an LFS. It turned brown and started dying within days.

Reefs2Go has many different types of macro algae.

What other macro algae do you recommend?
Also, is it a good idea to have macro algae in the DT?

I have this light for the fuge:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

nuxx · 10/14/2015, 01:05 PM

I've sound Chaeto to be super hardy...

Had it under less than ideal conditions and it didn't really grow, but didn't die.

Once conditions were better it just took off. I'm cutting out kitchen trashbag sized pieces every few weeks.

Dkuhlmann · 10/15/2015, 04:14 AM

What are you using for light in your sump and how long are you running it? Chaeto is easy to raise in a sump IMO and IME, Can you post a picture of your sump setup?

nuxx · 10/15/2015, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

What are you using for light in your sump and how long are you running it? Chaeto is easy to raise in a sump IMO and IME, Can you post a picture of your sump setup?

Running a cheap Chinese full spectrum 165 watt LED and 2 10 watt LED floods.

nmotz · 10/15/2015, 02:34 PM

Chaeto for me. I also have red gracilaria, but it doesn't grow as well as chaeto so I know it's not absorbing nutrients as quickly. I usually half my chaeto supply every month or so. It keeps my nitrates down from around 30ppm to between 5-10ppm.

rt67ghy · 10/15/2015, 02:44 PM

Chaeto grows easily for me and I'm only using some cheap LED lights. Also young pods love hanging out in the chaeto.

running scott · 10/15/2015, 03:01 PM

Cualerpa has worked great for me for many years. I pull handfuls out every week. I have mine under a CFL on 24/7. From what I've heard this keeps it from going sexual which apparently is a bad thing? Anyway it hasn't had sex with itself or anyone else for years as far as I know. Maybe it's bashful and won't do it with lights on?

10/14/2015, 10:30 AM	#1
BlackTip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1,598	Recommendation for macro algae I have a small refugium section in my sump, 12X18X20. It is fed by approx. 100gph from the return pump. The nozzle is placed just under the surface. My primary goal is to cultivate food. I have copepodes that seem to be doing ok. I want to have environment for them to thrive. I tried Chaeto twice with bad result. The first ball came from a popular online vendor. The ball disintegrated within hours, and most of it made its way to the DT. The second ball came from an LFS. It turned brown and started dying within days. Reefs2Go has many different types of macro algae. What other macro algae do you recommend? Also, is it a good idea to have macro algae in the DT? I have this light for the fuge: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00 __________________ 325G DT. 100G sump. In-sump refugium. SRO-5000SSS. 2 Gyres 150. 2 Water Blaster HY-5000. 2 Razor 320W. Apex Gold. MR2 GFO. 2 800W Heaters. Tunze Osmolater. 2 20g-long QT tanks. Geo 624 CA. 80W UV Last edited by BlackTip; 10/14/2015 at 10:36 AM.

10/14/2015, 01:05 PM	#2
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	I've sound Chaeto to be super hardy... Had it under less than ideal conditions and it didn't really grow, but didn't die. Once conditions were better it just took off. I'm cutting out kitchen trashbag sized pieces every few weeks. __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

10/15/2015, 04:14 AM	#3
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	What are you using for light in your sump and how long are you running it? Chaeto is easy to raise in a sump IMO and IME, Can you post a picture of your sump setup? __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

10/15/2015, 02:34 PM	#5
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	Chaeto for me. I also have red gracilaria, but it doesn't grow as well as chaeto so I know it's not absorbing nutrients as quickly. I usually half my chaeto supply every month or so. It keeps my nitrates down from around 30ppm to between 5-10ppm. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

10/15/2015, 02:44 PM	#6
rt67ghy Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Posts: 984	Chaeto grows easily for me and I'm only using some cheap LED lights. Also young pods love hanging out in the chaeto. __________________ 180g mixed reef. 53g sump including 20g fuge. 320lbs LR, 140lbs LS. 1/2 hp chiller. Temp 75-79. Current Tank Info: Fish: 1 yellow tang, 1 mandarin, 1 pair of tomato clowns, 1 maroon clown, 1 skunk clown, 1 banggai cardinal. Anemones: 1 green haddoni carpet, 2 heteractis auroras, 1 LTA.

10/15/2015, 03:01 PM	#7
running scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bradenton,Fl Posts: 219	Cualerpa has worked great for me for many years. I pull handfuls out every week. I have mine under a CFL on 24/7. From what I've heard this keeps it from going sexual which apparently is a bad thing? Anyway it hasn't had sex with itself or anyone else for years as far as I know. Maybe it's bashful and won't do it with lights on?