Alagae question

jt17 · Oct 10, 2015

You might want to consider changing one thing at a time. Maybe change just the light or just the flow through the fuge. That way you know which change worked.
I have algae in my overflows and in my refugium. The water enters the refugium from the overflows through a spray bar aimed accross the button of the fuge which creates a gyre that keeps my macro algae turning. No filter sock. I do have rubble in there for pods and bristle stars to break down detritus.
There are many outstanding tanks with no refugium so it's not mandatory. I just like to watch my algae tumble

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If you have some phosphate and nitrate in your water then macroalgaes will grow. If they aren't the. It is likely the light. The lights I've seen built for refugium a have all been under powered (and overpriced) IMO. I've had great results with this light but it is very powerful and is best used on tumbling algae so as to not bleach the algae on one side.

JVH · Oct 12, 2015

jt17 said:
You might want to consider changing one thing at a time. Maybe change just the light or just the flow through the fuge. That way you know which change worked.
I have algae in my overflows and in my refugium. The water enters the refugium from the overflows through a spray bar aimed accross the button of the fuge which creates a gyre that keeps my macro algae turning. No filter sock. I do have rubble in there for pods and bristle stars to break down detritus.
There are many outstanding tanks with no refugium so it's not mandatory. I just like to watch my algae tumble .
If you have some phosphate and nitrate in your water then macroalgaes will grow. If they aren't the. It is likely the light. The lights I've seen built for refugium a have all been under powered (and overpriced) IMO. I've had great results with this light but it is very powerful and is best used on tumbling algae so as to not bleach the algae on one side.

So, tumbling algae would mean heavy flow in the refuge?

jt17 · Oct 12, 2015

Not necessarily. You just want the water entering the fuge to be directed in a way that there is a continuous circular flow in the refugium. The algae can slowly turn in that current.
If you don't have enough flow to generate enough current then you can always use a small power head. A gentle tumble is best. IMO
This is just one of many ways to incorporate a refugium into your system. You don't have to tumble the macro, I just like to watch it also

JVH · Oct 13, 2015

jt17 said:
Not necessarily. You just want the water entering the fuge to be directed in a way that there is a continuous circular flow in the refugium. The algae can slowly turn in that current.
If you don't have enough flow to generate enough current then you can always use a small power head. A gentle tumble is best. IMO
This is just one of many ways to incorporate a refugium into your system. You don't have to tumble the macro, I just like to watch it also

I know all the water is traveling through the fuge but I feel like with the surface water looking stagnant because the water is transferring from the bottom, I would be thrilled to see the water make the algae tumble! I need more flow. I think my hubby said he was going to add a splitter so I will have 2 lines of water entering the tank. That will help the flow up top but I need something for the sump!
I will get new clean sponges in the dividers and see what happens but if I can't get the flow to improve I think the cheato will go since its looking brownish and I don't think its dong well.. If I can get oblivious more flow, Ill get a big ball of fresh chaeto and try it again..