Do your refugiums looks like mine?

[Tiki_Reef]

Nuisance algae often grows best, so removing it from the fuge is counterproductive.
Why do you think so many people use ATS?

This is spot on I have GHA in my fuge and it stays there, I look at it this way I would rather see it in the fuge than my DT, as said in another comment just prun it weekly. Ever dive a reef, I have and I seen plenty of GHA down there.

 

[Lavey29]

I am going to pick on you so be forewarned lol. (On a boring conf call, so just popping here and there and poking fun, feel free to poke back lol)

You remove nuisance algae so a fuge looks like this lol.

Exactly, stunning fuge set up

 

[jmichaelh7]

i have mine on 24/7 and initially it grew hair algae but everything succumbed to the chaeto growth.

 

[sanzz18]

How long have you had the refugium going? I know mine took some time before I saw a noticeable difference in the tank. I had turf algae in there for awhile till it got out competed. It did take awhile though. I think it helped to just keep picking out what I didn't want in there till it was finally gone for good.

Refugium has be going for at least 6 months probably longer. My chaeto grows like a weed in there. I am basically trying to decide to I (in an OCD way) remove these nuisance algae from the refugium, or let it be and remove it when it becomes a decent amount.

Really, if you're using the fuge to grow algae hoping it will use the nutrients before the algae in the display can, I'd keep whatever grows BEST in the fuge. It can definitely take time for it to work, and generally works best as a way to prevent algae in the display as opposed to removing it (i.e. having it die off due to not having nutrients). Whether your fuge grows gha, bubble algae, or chaeto/caulerpa, just remember to prune it regularly to truly export the nutrients.

Edit: and what @mdb_talon said

Yeah, I actually set up my refugium before I truly noticed any turf algae growing in my display. The chaeto has been growing very well from the beginning. I have been removing these algae from the refugium when it is large enough to do so.

And this is another very important thing. Good catch made there @Erin1971Texas

I usually am pretty good about pruning all the algae in the refugium. I know nothing is truly exported until it is removed from the system.

Nuisance algae often grows best, so removing it from the fuge is counterproductive.
Why do you think so many people use ATS?

Good point. I just wish the turf algae isn't taking over my rocks lol. I will post a video after this post to show what I am dealing with.

Snails not refugiums get rid of algae in the display tank.

I know CUC does that, but the goal of the refugium is to coerce the algae to grow there versus the display. That is what the point is, correct me if I am wrong.

I am going to pick on you so be forewarned lol. (On a boring conf call, so just popping here and there and poking fun, feel free to poke back lol)

You remove nuisance algae so a fuge looks like this lol.

Beautiful refugium.

Looking at the OP's video... You really should remove about 1/2 of that chaeto...

I had just removed 2/3 of it a couple weeks ago lol. That whole chamber was filled. You think more should be removed when I do it?

If your trying to have your chaeto or other macro algae be your dominant source in your fuge then obviously removing the competition makes sense. Basic common sense approach which worked perfectly in my situation so I share my knowledge and experience with those seeking to improve their fuge resource.

I would prefer the chaeto to grow over the nuisance algae. The turf algae grows on the refugium baffle and ends up making my sump so loud because it grows on the slots of the baffle a little bit causing more water to spill higher and louder lol. It is frustrating to deal with lol.

This is spot on I have GHA in my fuge and it stays there, I look at it this way I would rather see it in the fuge than my DT, as said in another comment just prun it weekly. Ever dive a reef, I have and I seen plenty of GHA down there.

I don't think I would mind as much if it didn't keep making that chamber so loud as it spills into the skimmer chamber.

i have mine on 24/7 and initially it grew hair algae but everything succumbed to the chaeto growth.

I hope mine does that lol. I only have my refugium light on 12 hrs per day. Never thought to increase it yet.

 

[sanzz18]

Here is what I am dealing with in my display.


I can't take the rocks out to do any scrubbing or manual removal outside of the tank because the aquascape is glued down at many points because I wanted it to be super stable. I have started increasing CUC everytime I go to the LFS. Probably going to grab urchins soon.

This is definitely turf and not GHA correct?

 

[Dan_P]

I know CUC does that, but the goal of the refugium is to coerce the algae to grow there versus the display. That is what the point is, correct me if I am wrong.

This line of reasoning may not align with what is known about algae ecology. Algae grow well where the surface is the right kind, it is properly lit, the nutrition level adequate, and herbivores at a minimum. A refugium does not subtract algae from the display tank.

 

[ReefAddict16]

A tuxedo urchin will easily take care of that. Honestly I’d remove the fuge. In my experience it zeros out nutrients which will cause worse problems (dinos, coral death, having to dose nutrients). I’d recommend letting your tank find its equilibrium by adjusting your daily feedings to the coral nutrient uptake. More coral nutrient uptake= more feeding and the opposite. But first take care of the algae because the algae will drop those nutrients too.

 

[WallyTime7]

Nuisance algae often grows best, so removing it from the fuge is counterproductive.
Why do you think so many people use ATS?

CHeers - so you're saying let the nuisance algae grow with the chaeto? I have that issue now. Display is great with no algae and I have cyano, bubble, hair and whatever else growing in the fuge.

 

[WallyTime7]

Heck, at one point before I broke down my tank when I moved, my fuge was completely covered in cyano. Did you have low nitrates? Mine hovers around 10 or so.

This is mine! haha. I guess it doesn't matter if it stays out of the display?

 

[tyler-b]

I can empathize with you OP, I just started a sump/fuge and have some red macro algaes in there, but only seem to be growing nuisance algae some of which are growing on the macros.
I’m considering decreasing the fuge light hrs/day until the macros show more growth. Also, I need to get some chaeto since it seems to be the best for growth and nutrient uptake. Running them at 10 hrs now.

 

[Reefahholic]

How long have you had the refugium going? I know mine took some time before I saw a noticeable difference in the tank. I had turf algae in there for awhile till it got out competed. It did take awhile though. I think it helped to just keep picking out what I didn't want in there till it was finally gone for good.

How long did it take the turf to get outcompetes with your setup?