Questions regarding diy algae reactors

[Katze]

Hello everyone !

I'm planning to make an algae reactor and I have the following questions to be answered:
Cold white or red+blue light ? (The lights are advertised as grow leds for plants)
How large should it be ? (system size: 200l = 55 gallons)

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

Personally, I suggest red because that is the main spectrum algae/plants use for photosynthesis. While white will likely work, red will be MUCH better.

 

[trevorhiller]

I like the white because the red/pink is hard on my eyes and makes the algae look discolored. White grows algae fine, but if you are trying to squeeze out every ounce of growth the red are probably "better" in the sense that you aren't wasting energy for spectrums not used by the algae.

 

[cpschult]

Hello everyone !

I'm planning to make an algae reactor and I have the following questions to be answered:
Cold white or red+blue light ? (The lights are advertised as grow leds for plants)
How large should it be ? (system size: 200l = 55 gallons)

Any decent sized reactor would work. If you go too big you can strip all your nutrients out. They are very effective!

 

[Katze]

Any decent sized reactor would work. If you go too big you can strip all your nutrients out. They are very effective!

I NEED a size recommendation, 2g ? Also isn't the performance more dependent on flow+lights ?

 

[trevorhiller]

I NEED a size recommendation, 2g ? Also isn't the performance more dependent on flow+lights ?

I don't think size matters too much. Algae is going to grow at rate dependent on nutrient levels, light and available trace elements needed for growth. Ie. It'll fill a smaller reactor faster or a bigger reactor slower. It just depends how often you want to service it.

You definitely need to dose trace elements to grow algae though or you'll quickly be limited and starve out leaving you with excess nitrate/phosphate so I'd consider that. Something like chaeto grow seems popular.

 

[Typhon]

The refugium size really doesn't matter. Lighting and flow is more important. Also, good idea to get a light that can control intensity, so you can dial in refugium based on nutrient export needs.

 

[Katze]

I don't think size matters too much. Algae is going to grow at rate dependent on nutrient levels, light and available trace elements needed for growth. Ie. It'll fill a smaller reactor faster or a bigger reactor slower. It just depends how often you want to service it.

You definitely need to dose trace elements to grow algae though or you'll quickly be limited and starve out leaving you with excess nitrate/phosphate so I'd consider that. Something like chaeto grow seems popular.

What do you recommend to dose ? Is the abscence of those, irritating for corals (softy,lps) ?

 

[Katze]

I don't think size matters too much. Algae is going to grow at rate dependent on nutrient levels, light and available trace elements needed for growth. Ie. It'll fill a smaller reactor faster or a bigger reactor slower. It just depends how often you want to service it.

You definitely need to dose trace elements to grow algae though or you'll quickly be limited and starve out leaving you with excess nitrate/phosphate so I'd consider that. Something like chaeto grow seems popular.

Do I have to do the same if i grow turf algae?