good/bad algae in the refugium

jdhanover · 01/19/2007, 11:04 PM

I am getting confused about what one wants or doesn't in the refugium. Mine has about 4 differnt types though two appear to be overtaking the others. One looks like a bunch of green thin wire in a ball (kind of like steel wool). The other is a thicktem with little bubbles. I am suspicious of the first type based on threads but not sure. Other two types have leaves (one is a solid leaf, the other is a leaf of many litle spikes) But very tlittle of these two.
Thoughts? Thx!

drummereef · 01/19/2007, 11:14 PM

Sounds like you have Chaetomorpha and various Caulerpas in there. Most people feel safe with Chaetomorpha as it won't go sexual like Caulerpa does.

frederickk · 01/20/2007, 10:06 AM

If you stick with caeto you should be ok.

jdhanover · 01/20/2007, 10:15 AM

Dumb question - which is which? IOW, which is the chaeto?

Tripspike · 01/20/2007, 11:05 AM

The chaeto is the stuff that looks like "steel wool".

Trip

Spuds725 · 01/20/2007, 11:50 AM

CHaeto--

Your bubble type sounds like it might be Caulerpa Racemosa--

EdKruzel · 01/20/2007, 12:12 PM

When in a refugium, the type doesn't matter; for ease and convenience many like Cheato as they feel it won't go sexual and release gammets and nutrients back into the water if not pruned in a timely manner.

A refugium is to remove excess nutrients by pruning growing algae (micro or macro) and giving refuge to fauna.
Beyond that it really isn't anything to worry about.

jdhanover · 01/20/2007, 03:50 PM

Thanks, guys. As always appreciate the help!

01/19/2007, 11:04 PM	#1
jdhanover Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Suburbs North Posts: 805	good/bad algae in the refugium I am getting confused about what one wants or doesn't in the refugium. Mine has about 4 differnt types though two appear to be overtaking the others. One looks like a bunch of green thin wire in a ball (kind of like steel wool). The other is a thicktem with little bubbles. I am suspicious of the first type based on threads but not sure. Other two types have leaves (one is a solid leaf, the other is a leaf of many litle spikes) But very tlittle of these two. Thoughts? Thx! __________________ Regards, Jon Current Tank Info: JBJ Nano 28g for sale along with other stuff

01/19/2007, 11:14 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Sounds like you have Chaetomorpha and various Caulerpas in there. Most people feel safe with Chaetomorpha as it won't go sexual like Caulerpa does. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/20/2007, 10:15 AM	#4
jdhanover Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Suburbs North Posts: 805	Dumb question - which is which? IOW, which is the chaeto? __________________ Regards, Jon Current Tank Info: JBJ Nano 28g for sale along with other stuff

01/20/2007, 11:50 AM	#6
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	CHaeto-- Your bubble type sounds like it might be Caulerpa Racemosa-- __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

01/20/2007, 12:12 PM	#7
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	When in a refugium, the type doesn't matter; for ease and convenience many like Cheato as they feel it won't go sexual and release gammets and nutrients back into the water if not pruned in a timely manner. A refugium is to remove excess nutrients by pruning growing algae (micro or macro) and giving refuge to fauna. Beyond that it really isn't anything to worry about. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

01/20/2007, 10:06 AM	#3
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	If you stick with caeto you should be ok.

01/20/2007, 11:05 AM	#5
Tripspike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol, CT Posts: 875	The chaeto is the stuff that looks like "steel wool". Trip

01/20/2007, 03:50 PM	#8
jdhanover Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Suburbs North Posts: 805	Thanks, guys. As always appreciate the help! __________________ Regards, Jon Current Tank Info: JBJ Nano 28g for sale along with other stuff