Reugium Set-Up

[Spdjnky]

HI,
I need some help on what I am doing wrong with my refugium set-up. I have filled it up 2 times already with Macro Algae and no luck the last pic posted is what is left and also how I have it set up. The display is a 75 gallon with about 60 lbs of LR. I am using 75 gallons for my total system volume with the sump.
I have changed things around but in the end the algae is not growing. My last tests showed the my Nitrates are running around 6ppm and my Phosphates were .09 down from 2 ppm when I wasn't running GFO.
Here are some pictures in a Album of my set-up
Phil

https://photos.app.goo.gl/jaCsApUiuYMRg1XJA

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Gracileria never grew in my system, but the chaeto should grow. Might need to dose iron or manganese or other trace elements..

Does it die, or just not grow?

 

[Spdjnky]

• I started with Indo-Pacific Sea Farms refugium starter package and then tried some more after he said the flow was not enough.
• If you look at the last pic it just disapears Seems heathy but it's gone. It's not possible that the urchen is eating it ?
• Grape Caulerpa (will attach to substrate)
• Chaetomorpha (Chaeto) (will form a fast-growing, floating mass)
• Tang Heaven Red (Gracilaria) (will form a floating mat)
• Tang Heaven Green (Ulva) (will form a floating mat)
• 25 Reef Amphipods
• 6 Baby BristleWorms
• 6 Mama Mia Worms
• 6 Nerite Snails
• 6 Littorinid Gazers
• Free Bonus: Live Reef Plankton
  

 

[Spdjnky]

I'm not even sure if my set-up is good just trying to learn and I have ordered new algae but not from IPf
This what I have coming
Red Gracilaria

Chaetomorpha Chaeto

Frag Cladophora Prolifera

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Don't want to hijack the thread but sort of on topic. I know we want our chaeto to tumble. What makes it just sink? I got two softball sized balls of chaeto and they just sit on the bottom

 

[Spdjnky]

I can't help you if you look at my pics it just disapears......I need all the help I can get. I had a ICP analysis done in Feb and Iron was 0 my Mag is usually around 1400 ppm

 

[madweazl]

What are you using for lighting (the refugium that is)? How long are the lights on?

 

[Spdjnky]

• 

Roll over image to zoom in

Wave-point Mirco sun
Wave-point Mirco Sun 6,500 k Daylight High Output 8-Watt LED Fixture Lighting for Aquarium, 6-Inch

 

[madweazl]

That is a very low wattage source and is likely part of the problem (if not solely). How long do you run it each day?

 

[Spdjnky]

12 hours

 

[madweazl]

12 hours

You can try increasing the photo-period to help overcome the low output. Try 18 hours and see if that provides better results.

 

[Spdjnky]

Yea I have new algae coming Monday or Tue ...... I just switched to a Sicce 5.0 from 3.5 so the flow from the return pump that is going in moving allot but I have noticed how it stays clumped where it feeds into the return pump section. I have plumbed it a few different ways trying to get the flow right at the same time not really knowing because this is new to me.

 

[madweazl]

Yea I have new algae coming Monday or Tue ...... I just switched to a Sicce 5.0 from 3.5 so the flow from the return pump that is going in moving allot but I have noticed how it stays clumped where it feeds into the return pump section. I have plumbed it a few different ways trying to get the flow right at the same time not really knowing because this is new to me.

My opinion, flow makes little to no difference. My blob of macro algae is to dense to move but still grows like the weed it is.

 

[Spdjnky]

This is what I started with........????? I don't get it........

 

[madweazl]

Again, I believe your light to be a very limiting factor.

 

[Spdjnky]

I just checked my clearance that I have now sense I changed my return plumbing and now I can use this light won't be able to get it real low but it's worth a try to see just going to be a pain to hang it. I will up date.