Macroalgae

Hethari · Mar 1, 2017

Hello

Does macro algae need any supplement to support its growth
Small Refugium in sump
All reading fine
Halimeda and caulerpa
My calerpa start to melt down I don't know why while it was a very fast grower every week I trim it. Any suggestion

zachxlutz · Mar 1, 2017

Depending on your bioload, you may be starving the macros. Do you have detectable nitrates/phosphates? How long has your tank been set up? Do you dose anything?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2017

zachxlutz said:
. Do you have detectable nitrates/phosphates?

This. If you have very little nutrints you may have problems.
FWIW Ive never had luck with Halimeda, and come types of caulerpa just melt under the wong conditions. Several species of caulerpa need a lot more flow than others. Its also worth noting a lot of refugium problems stem from low flow.

FishGuyBri · Mar 1, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
This. If you have very little nutrints you may have problems.
FWIW Ive never had luck with Halimeda, and come types of caulerpa just melt under the wong conditions. Several species of caulerpa need a lot more flow than others. Its also worth noting a lot of refugium problems stem from low flow.

What's the best way to get food flow in a fuge, and are you talking through the fuge or within the fuge?

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 1, 2017

MacQac said:
are you talking through the fuge or within the fuge?

same thing kinda. must fugues use the return rate for the fuge passively. but if that's not enough ya have problems. I have a bunch of macros besides chato, and Ive def noticed when they melt in my very little flow zone of the fuge. my sump was a kind bad design(my own), so I have a dead spot on one side. I added an old powerhead and if def fixed the prob there.

A FWIW, I replaced the head with a small 12v dc pump that is set to really ripple the surface and keep flow going. Im also leaving that in the battery backup to run in case my power goes out.