Adding refugium

[reefertank]

So tank has been running for about a year now and I want to add a refugium. Problem is that my skimmer is huge and has to be in the center of the sump. So can I make my refugium on the end? See pics

 

[Musovski]

First off, hi, nice to meet you.

Second which part of the sump is this? the return?

 

[reefertank]

The return is now in the middle I want to make the third chamber a refugium

 

[Musovski]

the thing with a refugium is that in order for macroalgae to grow, other than light it needs nutrients, if you think you can provide enough nutrients with the skimmer and return in the middle and leave the fuge to the right, then go ahead. Whats is your nitrate and phosphate on?

 

[reefertank]

Not sure haven't tested in a while, what if I ran a split of the overflow from the tank. I am constantly fighting algea on my glass and rocks plus I want pods.? My phosphates are normally..05 and nitrates stay at 0.

 

[Musovski]

Not sure haven't tested in a while, what if I ran a split of the overflow from the tank. I am constantly fighting algea on my glass and rocks plus I want pods.? My phosphates are normally..05 and nitrates stay at 0.

if you run a sep. drain into the right side, thatll help the macroalgae a lot. 1) dirty water, 2) water flow. However bring that nitrate up, coral and macroalgae need food. 0 is starvation

 

[reefertank]

I know I have been trying, any suggestions, I feed g good amount.

 

[Hermie]

Honestly a refugium will just die if your nitrates and phosphates are so low... why do you want to add one?

Pods right, hmm... If you want pods, you need "micro algae" not Macro algae.

 

[Musovski]

I know I have been trying, any suggestions, I feed g good amount.

dont run the skimmer 24/7 is a great start. If you set up a fuge, run the skimmer during day, then when lights turn off, turn the lights on for the fuge and turn off skimmer.

 

[Musovski]

Honestly a refugium will just die if your nitrates and phosphates are so low... why do you want to add one?

Pods right, hmm... If you want pods, you need "micro algae" not Macro algae.

Well Chaeto is probably the best Algae for pods IMO. And Chaeto its a Macro algae

 

[lapin]

I know I have been trying, any suggestions, I feed g good amount.

Turn off the skimmer and see if that raises the nitrate. If you have algae we know that is consuming some. You need to add the macro before stopping skimming or you will only benefit the algae.

 

[Hermie]

Well Chaeto is probably the best Algae for pods IMO. And its a Macro algae

pods do not eat chaeto though... so what are they going to eat?

 

[Musovski]

pods do not eat chaeto though... so what are they going to eat?

Pods feed off of phyto, detritus etc.

 

[Musovski]

Turn off the skimmer and see if that raises the nitrate. If you have algae we know that is consuming some. You need to add the macro before stopping skimming or you will only benefit the algae.

+1

 

[lapin]

You can grow ulva. Certain pods will live in it. They will eat the biofilms that develop on it and your glass. Also throw in some rock rubble. They like stuff that grows on it too

 

[Hermie]

I just don't get the point of "adding Chaeto" to a tank with zero excess nutrients so that Pods can grow. This all makes no sense. Unless there's more nutrients, neither pods nor macro algae will grow. Of course, the skimmer idea is possible, but why not just get rid of the skimmer then? I guess he or she could run it like 12 hours a day?

 

[Musovski]

I just don't get the point of "adding Chaeto" to a tank with zero excess nutrients so that Pods can grow. This all makes no sense. Unless there's more nutrients, neither pods nor macro algae will grow. Of course, the skimmer idea is possible, but why not just get rid of the skimmer then? I guess he or she could run it like 12 hours a day?

which is why i said to raise nutrients or else macro will die.

 

[Musovski]

I just don't get the point of "adding Chaeto" to a tank with zero excess nutrients so that Pods can grow. This all makes no sense. Unless there's more nutrients, neither pods nor macro algae will grow. Of course, the skimmer idea is possible, but why not just get rid of the skimmer then? I guess he or she could run it like 12 hours a day?

Also, i wouldnt recommend Chaeto as first algae. If you are to add macro add Ulva, Caulerpa, Any sort of sea lettuce. one you see that growing, then id say go with chaeto.

 

[Hermie]

which is why i said to raise nutrients or else macro will die.

Missed that, thanks.

 

[Musovski]

I just don't get the point of "adding Chaeto" to a tank with zero excess nutrients so that Pods can grow. This all makes no sense. Unless there's more nutrients, neither pods nor macro algae will grow. Of course, the skimmer idea is possible, but why not just get rid of the skimmer then? I guess he or she could run it like 12 hours a day?

also im pretty sure, you can seed your tank with pods and feed phyto to supplement pod growth and coral growth.