Refugium Accumulating Debris and Growing Green Slime

[Hugh Mann]

So my refugium, every time I harvest the chaeto (about once a month), I have to shut off my return to let the debris settle out. First aquarium with a fuge, so I don’t know if this is normal or not. Makes the display visibly cloudy for a bit if I don’t. If it matters, the chaeto is home to dozens or more of bristle worms and two varieties of starfish.

If this is not normal, what is the potential cause of debris buildup? Insufficient mechanical filtration, too little flow, lack of protein skimmer? (I had one, but it died on me a while back and I haven’t been able to afford a replacement)

Also, the surface grows some sort of green slime looking stuff. I’m guessing this is probably from having a ridiculously overpowered grow light (1000w, but it’s what I had at the time), or insufficient flow? I’ve read it’s better if the chaeto tumbles, but mine doesn’t, it just sits there and grows in a thick mat more so than a ball.

 

[KrisReef]

My fuge grows uglier every day. I clean it lightly but generally I am happy that it is growing pods and stuff that feeds the tank while the DT looks great and doesn’t grow algae in it like the dirty scumming fuge does
My chaeto isn’t dancing or twisting either but it does grow pods, I like pods.

 

[Spare time]

I think its a combination. My refugium has plankton and worm feces, some precipitant, some stuff that spilled over when my socks clogged, etc. I usually take a pump and suck it out every few months. I have no clue what the slime is without seeing a picture. I keep an urchin down there to keep the sides clean from hair algae