How long does it usually take for macro to grow

[B-ridge]

I have a 75 gallon that I use as my fuge. In there I have 3 large rocks and a small rock. On 7/18 I purchased the following macro algae frags all about 1 inch in size:
String of pearls
Red palm leaf
Caribbean dragons breath
Spider tarantula
Crown of flames
Mermaid hair
I am using a roleadro led grow light galaxy hydro 300 watt hung approxiametly 8-10 inches above water line.
Now with my phosphate being 0.50 and nitrate being 60-80 I have plenty of nutrients for it to grow.
I have hair algae and what looks like to be cyano on rocks and sand bed so I know it should have plenty to feed off. That was the reasoning of me buying macro to out compete the nuisance algae instead of using a reactor and gfo. Wanted to do it more natural. I know it takes time but I would think almost 2 weeks i would see some growth. I did notice some hair algae and cyano in fuge.
Now I was thinking of adding a powerhead but wasn’t sure if the flow so the size I would need for my 75 gallon fuge. I do have lights running opposite main tank lights. Was also concerned the powerhead would blow my frags all around
Main tank has been back up approximately 6-8 months. Started with all dry rock. And brand new sand. I did buy 25 pounds of live rock from a fellow reefer to bring more bio diversity to my tank.
Ant and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance

 

[Diesel]

What are your nutrients levels?

 

[B-ridge]

Phosphate 0.50 checked my Hanna checker
Nitrate 60-80 checked by ati

 

[Diesel]

Phosphate 0.50 checked my Hanna checker
Nitrate 60-80 checked by ati

That is in range with what macro’s like to be in.

Moderate flow of course and lots of day light in the 6500k range.

 

[B-ridge]

So your suggesting I change my light and add a powerhead?

 

[Diesel]

So your suggesting I change my light and add a powerhead?

What kind of filter and light do you run?

 

[B-ridge]

No filter. I have a return that goes into sump and a return that goes into the fuge.
The light is a roleadro led grow light hydragakaxy 300 watt

 

[Subsea]

Algae can be limited with trace mineral even though N & P are in place. Iron is the normal candidate.

Phytoplankton combines C:N in the ratio of 116:16:1 and is called the Redfield Ratio.

Macro algae combines C:N in the ratio of 560:30:1 but can vary N ratio from 80:1 to 10:1. Remember that organic carbon dosing grows bacteria not coral or algae. Therefore where does reef carbon come from. It comes from carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere according to Dana Riddle on coral nutrition article in Advanced Aquaria.

To answer your question on how long for macro to grow, it depends on the macro. As I already pointed out, fast growing macro consume 80:1 and slow growing macro at 10:1.

Most of the macro on your list are slow growers. I grow macro in mono culture tumble culture with 10 fold increase a month. Are you interested in display refugium or a utilitarian refugium. Your list looks like reefcleaers. I suggest Live-Plants.com for generous servings. I will link the free guide on macro algae nutrients.

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookpage10.htm

 

[B-ridge]

I actually bought the macro off of eBay. Some place called 333aquatics.
My main goal of fuge is nutrient reduction and maintaining nutrient levels.
When I bought them they were labeled as fast growers and fast nutrient reduction.
I’m gonna take a look at what you sent me
I was thinking of adding a small powerhead for some flow since the only flow it’s getting is from my drain from main tank before it flows into my sump by gravity

 

[Subsea]

Algae can be limited with trace mineral even though N & P are in place. Iron is the normal candidate.

Phytoplankton combines C:N in the ratio of 116:16:1 and 8s called the Redfield Ratio.

Macro algae combines C:N in the ratio of 560:30:1 but can vary N ratio from 80:1 to 10:1. Remember that organic carbon dosing grows bacteria not coral or algae. Therefore where does reef carbon come from. It comes from carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere according to Dana Riddle article on coral nutrition in Advanced Aquaria

I actually bought the macro off of eBay. Some place called 333aquatics.
My main goal of fuge is nutrient reduction and maintaining nutrient levels.
When I bought them they were labeled as fast growers and fast nutrient reduction.
I’m gonna take a look at what you sent me
I was thinking of adding a small powerhead for some flow since the only flow it’s getting is from my drain from main tank before it flows into my sump by gravity

Gas exchange is very important, so if your power head causes surface agitation, then that is a good thing. If possible, make the first drain compartment from tank into a wet dry filter to promote good gas exchange.

 

[B-ridge]

Unfortunately how my system is set up and plumbed a wet/dry wouldn’t be possible. I have 2 drains. 1 goes into the fuge where it goes to the bottom minus 2-3 inches. 2nd drain goes directly into skimmer area

 

[Subsea]

Unfortunately how my system is set up and plumbed a wet/dry wouldn’t be possible. I have 2 drains. 1 goes into the fuge where it goes to the bottom minus 2-3 inches. 2nd drain goes directly into skimmer area

While not a big fan of skimmers because they remove food that grows coral, skimmers will provide gas exchange. The most efficient gas exchange happens at surface of tank. Anything that agitates the water surface will assist with gas exchange. A surface skimmer is the best design in a reef tank as it removes surface scum, decreases surface tension and promotes good gas exchange.

 

[B-ridge]

So which macros do you suggest for fast growth and best nutrient reduction?

 

[Subsea]

So which macros do you suggest for fast growth and best nutrient reduction?

It depends on your application. I use both utilitarian and ornamental macro in display tanks.

Gracilaria Hayi is a good example of looks good and grows fast.

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookgrachayi.htm


In a refugium, per your criteria of fast growth and best nutrient reduction, I would suggest a Caulerpa or as a second runner up, Ulva.

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookpage15.htm

https://www.marineplantbook.com/marinebookulva.htm
One caution on using Ulva with respect to temperature. If your system water stays above 80 degrees, Ulva will not flourish.

PSS: I should qualify. The Ulva species that I have does thrive above. 80 degrees,

 

[B-ridge]

I wanna try and stay away from anything that goes asexual.
Tank rarely goes above 78-79

 

[Subsea]

I wanna try and stay away from anything that goes asexual.
Tank rarely goes above 78-79

It you want fast uptake macro, then the possibility of going sexual increases.

Unless your species of Ulva attaches, you will have difficulty with floating sheets of Ulva clogging up pump strainers.

Use John Mahoney at reef cleaners recommendation for refugiums. While I don’t agree with using several differrent macros, he recommends it with differrent growth rate macros.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/stocking-the-sump-refugium