How full is full? When do you know it's time?

[esther]

When do you know it's time to trim back your macroalgae in your refugium? How full do you let it get? Packed to the walls? Some room so that it's free flowing? The more the better in the refugium?

 

[esther]

My refugium is jam packed and it doesn't look like anything is dying. I turn the macro algae like once a week. Should I be trimming it?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Can you post some pictures? ~Shaun K.

 

[esther]

Can you post some pictures? ~Shaun K.

It’s kind of hard to see, but here ya go.

 

[daybreaksky]

flow is key, so if it gets flow through and it doesn't become filter floss for gunk, you are ok once it traps stuff it def needs trim

 

[esther]

flow is key, so if it gets flow through and it doesn't become filter floss for gunk, you are ok once it traps stuff it def needs trim

There's definitely flow. I'll keep an eye on it. It's getting pretty packed, so I may have to trim.

 

[Seabiscuit]

If it's doing well on the underside when you turn it, then it is getting enough light and doing a good job at removing nitrates. If it is a different color underneath when you turn it, you may want to trim it so that it can be less crowded and get enough light. I usually trim it when I see my nitrates getting too low (less than 5ppm.)