Gross Fuge

[redpine42]

So when I started this hobby I saw lots of fuge pictures that looked really cool. Mine is gross.

Just need to clean it up or is this to be expected? I also think there is not enough flow in the fuge, should I add a powerhead?

My chaeto is growing fast, but has what look like dead spots and lot hair algae mixed in. In spite of this my DT is doing great. Crystal clear water, lots of pods, Nitrate: 2ppm and Phosphate: 0ppm.

Any advice would be appreciated. I plan on cleaning it tomorrow.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I had to periodically clean mine before the chaeto became dominant. Some elbow grease and time should get that baby looking new also take out the dead spots of chaeto, it releases the nutrients back into the water

 

[redpine42]

I had to periodically clean mine before the chaeto became dominant. Some elbow grease and time should get that baby looking new also take out the dead spots of chaeto, it releases the nutrients back into the water

With Nitrate at 2ppm, don't I want more nutrients?

 

[Rakie]

With Nitrate at 2ppm, don't I want more nutrients?

In my opinion -- yes. Especially phosphates. Zero phosphates will slowly kill your corals. It also won't hurt to put some snails in there. They will eat the hair and not the macro.

The bigger question is why do you have a fuge? What made you decide it was necessary? If you have 2 no3 and 0 po4 you probably don't need one.

there's what I would consider a disturbing trend, where people are shoving ideas into a tank that doesn't need them. You don't need a fuge, or carbon dosing, or magical pixie dust. The best, longest kept tanks are as simple as humanly possible. It's good to know things, and alternative methods. The most important thing to know is you don't need nearly anything to successfully keep a reef.

Lights. Flow. Heater. Doser/Calcium reactor. No more is necessary than this