Algae in Sump

Fotocha · May 24, 2019

So this more of a general question.

Should I be worried about removing hair algae in the sump? Should I add some more snails or just not mess with it at all? Main display just passed through the "uglies".

I have been cleaning and then used a pump to run it back through the socks. Most concerned with the non fuge area of the sump.

Here is my current setup

40 Breeder, 20L sump.

Sump double filter socks with a fuge running about a gallon of chaeto, pods, a bristle star, and a few cerith snails. With a full spectrum growth light (wide diffusion) running 12 hours alternate the main display.

Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Sal 35ppm
Phos 0.25
Ph 8.6
Alk 8

Thoughts?

mattzang · May 24, 2019

probably not the end of the world, but i got some decent gha going when i got a newer better fuge light and hung it too high up.

what was not ideal was it growing algae in my skimmer cone

Fotocha · May 24, 2019

mattzang said:
probably not the end of the world, but i got some decent gha going when i got a newer better fuge light and hung it too high up.

what was not ideal was it growing algae in my skimmer cone

ouch

Hermie · May 24, 2019

I just cleaned out my refugium tonight, I think after reading one of your other threads.

Basically I took out the chaeto and removed anywhere it had cyano or hair algae. Also used a toothbrush to scrape off any cyano and hair algae in the refugium walls. I assume everything is going to be fine, the only thing I was worried about was losing any amphipods (cause they are expensive) but I didn't see any... (not that that tells me anything). They love to hide in the hardest to find places, like in sponges, and I have a few filter sponges in my sump. I'm going to make a amphipod trap soon... see if I can trap them in the sump and put them in the display.

Oh yeah, my point of replying, was to say that I would suggest adding a few small fishes in there that will graze on the cyano and hair algae. I had 2 small Sailfin Molly in my sump for a few weeks and they did an amazing job eating nuisance algae. They did so good that I decided to just finish the job and put them in the display tank and clean the rest up myself.

Fotocha · May 24, 2019

NotASpammerDude said:
I just cleaned out my refugium tonight, I think after reading one of your other threads.

Basically I took out the chaeto and removed anywhere it had cyano or hair algae. Also used a toothbrush to scrape off any cyano and hair algae in the refugium walls. I assume everything is going to be fine, the only thing I was worried about was losing any amphipods (cause they are expensive) but I didn't see any... (not that that tells me anything). They love to hide in the hardest to find places, like in sponges, and I have a few filter sponges in my sump. I'm going to make a amphipod trap soon... see if I can trap them in the sump and put them in the display.

Oh yeah, my point of replying, was to say that I would suggest adding a few small fishes in there that will graze on the cyano and hair algae. I had 2 small Sailfin Molly in my sump for a few weeks and they did an amazing job eating nuisance algae. They did so good that I decided to just finish the job and put them in the display tank and clean the rest up myself.