Refugium failed

[jmichaelh7]

I bought chaeto from Algaebarn, divided my sump area of my 425xl and put a growing light from Home Depot over it. Ran it at night until 2pm typically.

slowly the chaeto crumbled and became white.

why did it fail ?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

What kind of light? What are your Nitrate and phosphate numbers?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Phosphate was at .5

nitrate 10ppm

 

[Cristy17]

Do you use vibrant? That will kill chaeto.

 

[jmichaelh7]

No I used the other Bottle product for bryopsis but had removed it via activated carbon early because my algae eating fish were getting skinny.


Bryopsis already started growing back so I know it’s not in there anymore.

the light is a 50w light for growing vegetables and plants

 

[jmichaelh7]

I never had the chaeto tumbling like I’ve seen others have it not sure... but it was a big piece of chaeto , literally shrunk before deciding to pull the last 2oz out

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I never had the chaeto tumbling like I’ve seen others have it not sure... but it was a big piece of chaeto , literally shrunk before deciding to pull the last 2oz out

My has never tumbled either so I just flip it over every week or so. 50w is a pretty weak light imo (mine was $30 and is 150w). How high above the chaeto is it positioned? Chaeto does need trace elements like iron. Do you do regular water changes with a reef salt to replenish trace elements?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Wait it was 39watt GE grow light from lowes

what a waste of $80 from algae barn ... I think I found the mistake now

 

[Erasmus Crowley]

Wait it was 39watt GE grow light from lowes

what a waste of $80 from algae barn ... I think I found the mistake now

Do you have a link to the light? I can't find any grow light on Lowes website from GE that is 39 watts.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Do you have a link to the light? I can't find any grow light on Lowes website from GE that is 39 watts.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-6-5-in-1-Light-White-32-Watt-Par38-LED-Grow-Light/1001001638?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lit-_-google-_-lia-_-143-_-lightbulbs-_-1001001638-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzJ_H-u7b7QIVAbOGCh11AARdEAQYAiABEgLgCfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[lavoisier]

I am glad you were able to find the problem. We are like detectives in this hobby!

I am using this one successfully, by the way:

 

[40g Nano]

what a waste of $80 from algae barn ... I think I found the mistake now

What do you think it was?

 

[jmichaelh7]

The wattage of the light was 32watt and 50 watt peak . Not enough output maybe?
What do you think it was?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Is tha

I am glad you were able to find the problem. We are like detectives in this hobby!

I am using this one successfully, by the way:

Do you got a pic on how this is set up ?

I think I’m going to re order chaeto and a different light

 

[40g Nano]

I use this

 

[jmichaelh7]

Do you guys have algae growing on the sump glass from your light?

or is the pink light less likely to produce algae. The little light I had was causing so much algae build up on the walls I had to grab a couple of turbo snails for the sump area

 

[40g Nano]

I have mine in a chamber of my aio
Not really any algae growth

 

[jmichaelh7]

I am glad you were able to find the problem. We are like detectives in this hobby!

I am using this one successfully, by the way:

How did you hang yours

 

[Hilltopreef]

Yes the light spillage will grow algae on everything it touches. You’ll end up with coralline algae in your skimmer if it bleeds over into it.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Yes the light spillage will grow algae on everything it touches. You’ll end up with coralline algae in your skimmer if it bleeds over into it.

That’s what I was starting to see.
Pretty soon it was looking like a mess