Sump growing algae like crazy

[WhiskeyCoffee]

So a while back I was growing beautiful chaeto in my sump but I was also getting insane amounts of other types of nasty algae that was getting out of control. I was using a LED bulb, 5000k that was 1150 lumens.

I have a skimmer going now but I'd like to do chaeto again because I'm getting GHA and I think it's because I pulled the chaeto. What kind of bulb should I use (it's a 10g sump) to avoid algae growing everywhere including in/on my skimmer? Also how can I prevent algae from growing on my skimmer and filter sock?

 

[Robink]

Following, same issue.

 

[mtraylor]

The only thing I can think of from seeing the picture is to divide the sump with black acrylic and have a direct light only on the chaeto side.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

whats wrong with algae growing in the sump is my question. I belive thats kinda the point. you can go with a smaller phillips par 30 5000k bulb(its a spot lens not a broad spread), black crate, black acrylic etc etc. I still think its going to be an uphill battle.
I have(had, just upgraded) twist compacts and led that blasted light everywhere. I don't get algae in the skimmer socks etc, I get coralline, sponges and such in those chambers but the refugium 2 inches away is growing great and has all the sometimes funk or growth etc..

 

[Ty Hamatake]

whats wrong with algae growing in the sump is my question. I belive thats kinda the point.

The more algae in your sump, the less in your display!

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

The more algae in your sump, the less in your display!

I was growing nasty black stringy algae on my filter sock. Also I don't want algae growing in my skimmer haha. I think I'm going to get some plexiglass and spray paint it with Krylon Fusion or plasti dip and use that has a divider to block light from hitting the filter sock and skimmer.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was growing nasty black stringy algae on my filter sock. Also I don't want algae growing in my skimmer haha. I think I'm going to get some plexiglass and spray paint it with Krylon Fusion or plasti dip and use that has a divider to block light from hitting the filter sock and skimmer.

yea, new tank maybe too..... I do wonder why that is. I do have a pretty high return rate.
Man Id feel better about black acrylic. Yea, im paranoid.

 

[mtraylor]

I was growing nasty black stringy algae on my filter sock. Also I don't want algae growing in my skimmer haha. I think I'm going to get some plexiglass and spray paint it with Krylon Fusion or plasti dip and use that has a divider to block light from hitting the filter sock and skimmer.

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Don't do that. Just build a black acrylic baffle between the 2 departments and use silicone

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

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Don't do that. Just build a black acrylic baffle between the 2 departments and use silicone

No one local sells black acrylic, and the prices online are insane! A can of plasti-dip and some plexi will cost me like $12 haha.

 

[mtraylor]

I"m not sure how fish safe plastidip is and if it will withstand saltwater. It doesn't have to be black. Any non clear acrylic or pvc will work for you.

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

I"m not sure how fish safe plastidip is and if it will withstand saltwater. It doesn't have to be black. Any non clear acrylic or pvc will work for you.

I looked up the manufacture's MSDS for Plasti Dip and they claim it's inert and non-toxic when cured. Manufacturer also states it is food safe. It's just rubber. I could think of many foreign materials that we use in our systems that sound really bad - super glue, plastic, silicone, rubber, acrylic, PVC, etc.

 

[mtraylor]

Oh ok. Well keep us informed.

 

[john gayle]

No one local sells black acrylic, and the prices online are insane! A can of plasti-dip and some plexi will cost me like $12 haha.

i got some black acrylic from melvesreef he cuts it to size cost 35 for 4 sump walls

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

i got some black acrylic from melvesreef he cuts it to size cost 35 for 4 sump walls

Didn't know he sold acrylic, thanks for sharing!