My refugium keeps killing my macro algae

[schuby]

I had cyano in my refugium early on. I added a small powerhead and it hasn't returned. Increasing flow is a common solution for cyano.

Yes, if your tank runs out of any of the required nutrients (or adequate light), then chaeto will die.

 

[Crustoceous]

I’m guessing that the macro did well for some time because there were plenty of nutrients... then reached a point where it overgrew what the tank had for nutrients and crashed, then the nuisance algae took over with the small nutrient load? I guess that would help explain how there’s barely any algae in the tank or in the sump... just a fine light fuzz.

so do I need to worry about the nuisance algae before trying again, or just supplement a new batch of macro?

 

[Kenneth Wingerter]

if you typically run your system at lower nutrient levels, you'll do best with red algae. these grow more slowly and are less likely to crash and burn from nutrient starvation. https://www.algaebarn.com/blog/macro-algae/red-macroalgae-for-the-moderately-illuminated-refugium/

 

[Crustoceous]

I did have red algae first, it got overtaken by nuisance algae and completely died out. Right now the chaeto has started to come back, and the nuisance algae is in check but still predominant... I’m kind of waiting to see what develops from that. There’s a short green carpet on the refugium walls and back wall of the tank but nowhere else really.

 

[Spare time]

Try chaetogro

 

[Jeeperz]

I've never had chaeto live in a sump refugium. It always grows either cyano or hair algae due to the light I suppose. I can keep small bits alive on my urchin though, lol