Refuge question

[tydeck]

I have this foam in the middle chamber on my fluval 13.5. I keep scooping it but it comes back. There is very little apparent flow on the top of the water. It’s darling colored than the pic shows. Kinda looks like loose skim mate. Where is it coming from?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

What kind of media do you have in that chamber

 

[tydeck]

Chaeto. Good size clump. Just started the refuge. Last weekend. 12 watt grow bulb on it.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Chaeto. Good size clump. Just started the refuge. Last weekend. 12 watt grow bulb on it.

What kind of mechanical filtration- any floss or sponges in your back chambers?

 

[Eatfrenchfries]

Usually when it foams up like that it's time for a water change. I don't run a skimmer, just a HOB sometimes. My water will foam at the top when its getting a little gross and the macros can't keep up. Same with my rotifer/copepod cultures. I keep chaeto in a bucket with them and it starts to get yellow/foam when the waste builds.

Pretty sure its your skimmate

 

[tydeck]

Chamber one has rid carbon and floss
Chamber 2 is cheato fuge
Chamber 3 heater and pump

I do 2 gallon wc every Saturday

 

[AlgaeBarn]

Chamber one has rid carbon and floss
Chamber 2 is cheato fuge
Chamber 3 heater and pump

I do 2 gallon wc every Saturday

It sounds like it is the finer particles getting through the floss and carbon with the flow and settling in that chamber with the lack of flow- essentially making it skimmate like @Eatfrenchfries mentioned

 

[tydeck]

I kinda figured it was skim mate. I’ll just scoop it out. I figure a weekly 2 gallon wc is more than enough for nutrient export and trace element replacement.

Coralline is starting to grow in the main tank. No nuisance algae now. All seems well

I have a phos and nitrate salifert kits. Haven’t used them much.

Not a big water tester. Have tons of freshwater experience. Do water changes and everything usually run great.

 

[Eatfrenchfries]

Yeah. If your WC is enough export its fine. Honestly the skimmate can just be an eyesore if it builds up too much. Sometimes I'll set up a surface skimmer on the day I do my WC and cleaning. Not necessary by any means. Just anesthetics.

 

[tydeck]

I really try to keep thing simple. Never mind all the upgrades and so. Lol


It’s such a small tank. There really are limits for equipment.