OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Yes I have macro in my fuge now
Tank black out question
- Thread starter Alabamareef
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Yes I have macro in my fuge now
The thing he fails to mention is, that in order for the fuge to totally help out, you gotta have a huge amount. It does work, but you gotta think, how much is in there, and how much water do I have. A small fuge isn't going to cut it.
Now an algae turf scrubber on the other hand, those things rock.
Now an algae turf scrubber on the other hand, those things rock.
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Yea the LA fish guy loves them. I had a volleyball size piece and cut it back a few weeks back. May consider a scrubber.
Damon
Well-Known Member
My thought is based on my 110(the op clearly stated he has a 180) and my fuge space. My logic would be that his is larger. I have had an associate with a 55 and a 20 gallon sump use the same technique with also a massive macro growth increase, while at the same time nutrient decrease and all of his algea concentrated in the fuge. The nuisances that is, because of spectrum..
You don't need a massive space, you just need to stay on top of the growth. If you basically bombard the space with a light that is confusing to growth and there are even small amounts of elements, it's gonna grow! High intensity horticultural lighting 101!
Lol,I have been doing this for decades.. Just not with aquariums. But it works great nonetheless..
Note2 on Tap Pro
You don't need a massive space, you just need to stay on top of the growth. If you basically bombard the space with a light that is confusing to growth and there are even small amounts of elements, it's gonna grow! High intensity horticultural lighting 101!
Lol,I have been doing this for decades.. Just not with aquariums. But it works great nonetheless..
Note2 on Tap Pro
Damon
Well-Known Member
And I've used and built a scrubber also. The concept is basically the same. The only thing is your not adding additional plumbing and pumps, along with an additional piece of lighting. Add to that, it's a different type of algea..
Really, it's surprising to me that neither anyone else has tried it with any success(I can't be the only person alive that has done hydroponics and aquariums) or has shared this info previously.
Personally, if I had a remote fuge/sump/water change, I'd simply light it with a 400 sodium. That will grow anything, and your only confinement it's going back and forth one you realize how often you need to pull it. But on the flip side, someone is "always, always" looking for good, dense cheato. I produced enough to supply a fish shop, but I grew tired of dealing with it. All from my little 110 and 30 gallon(actual water volume) sump.
Note2 on Tap Pro
Really, it's surprising to me that neither anyone else has tried it with any success(I can't be the only person alive that has done hydroponics and aquariums) or has shared this info previously.
Personally, if I had a remote fuge/sump/water change, I'd simply light it with a 400 sodium. That will grow anything, and your only confinement it's going back and forth one you realize how often you need to pull it. But on the flip side, someone is "always, always" looking for good, dense cheato. I produced enough to supply a fish shop, but I grew tired of dealing with it. All from my little 110 and 30 gallon(actual water volume) sump.
Note2 on Tap Pro
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Damon I'll let you know how the 125 does. I think it comes in Tuesday
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
I've had a good stand if macro before. Curious to see with the new light the rate if growth.
Damon
Well-Known Member
This is mine after 2.5 weeks, and I'm running a basic led unit that is dominant in blue. A redder spectrum like the pc grows even faster. . I'm having issues with some new mangrove seedlings I just received, so ignore them. And the indenting in the front is where I pull excess and allow for a viewing Window.
I am posting this simply to show that your not in need of a massive area whatsoever. The limiting factor normally is light. The lights we typically use on our fuges are far too weak to realistically perform any significant nutrient reduction capability through plant growth.
Speed is the key with this. The faster you can get the stuff growing, the more it's going to pull quickly. And over time, the plants (honestly, I just think of them as saltwater weeds) become stronger and stronger.
And btw, all of the growth from my mangroves has been since January of this year. They were barely above water when I got them. Also, pod, worm and mini star population is enormous!
Sent from Note 2
I am posting this simply to show that your not in need of a massive area whatsoever. The limiting factor normally is light. The lights we typically use on our fuges are far too weak to realistically perform any significant nutrient reduction capability through plant growth.
Speed is the key with this. The faster you can get the stuff growing, the more it's going to pull quickly. And over time, the plants (honestly, I just think of them as saltwater weeds) become stronger and stronger.
And btw, all of the growth from my mangroves has been since January of this year. They were barely above water when I got them. Also, pod, worm and mini star population is enormous!
Sent from Note 2
Last edited:
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
After the three day black out the tank actually looked better than I thought. This am I did a 10 gallon water change and cleaning and the tank almost looks great. Also got my new light for the fuge in and installed. I'll wait to see how it grows macro.
Man that thing is bright, photo is with the camera flash only. Just hope the UV light does not harm my sump. I know acrylic and UV don't mix well......
Man that thing is bright, photo is with the camera flash only. Just hope the UV light does not harm my sump. I know acrylic and UV don't mix well......
Last edited:
Damon
Well-Known Member
That's a nice fit! And yeah they are bright! Lol! They pack a lot of punch for little size and also tiny cost. I have mine also, but have yet to open the box..
And your using an aqueon sump correct? I had mine, with a 200 bulb over my aqueon with no problem.
Sent from Note 2
And your using an aqueon sump correct? I had mine, with a 200 bulb over my aqueon with no problem.
Sent from Note 2
Last edited:
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Yes it's an aqueous proflex model 4. And it fit nicley over the fuge. Gonna have to figure out something about the light spillage from the back of the aquarium. This thing light up the room.
Damon
Well-Known Member
Lol! I actually solved that on my first stand by simply closing in the back. I added a few pc tower fans for ventilation. I hadn't done this one as of yet, but I believe that may be my next move also since I'm staying with this tank size (if I keep telling myself long enough, I'm hoping the larger tank thought will loose).
But I think I am going to throw my fixture on tomorrow.
But how is it looking? I know it's very soon, and it took a couple weeks for my algea to begin growing fast. But how is your system and macro looking? One of the first signs is that the macro will begin to darken in color.
Sent from Note 2
But I think I am going to throw my fixture on tomorrow.
But how is it looking? I know it's very soon, and it took a couple weeks for my algea to begin growing fast. But how is your system and macro looking? One of the first signs is that the macro will begin to darken in color.
Sent from Note 2
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
Everything looks the same. It's a good healthy green color right now. I'll post some photos in a week or so
Damon, do you use cheato or caulerpa? The pic you posted is feather caulerpa.
Alabama, I suggest you get a different type of macroalgae if you want it to have any chance of outcompeting the hair algae via fuge. That kind you have is caulerpa prolifera, one of the slowest growing caulerpa out there. If you don't mind the possible downfalls of caulerpa (invasive, potential to go sexual), I would get one of the faster growing ones like grape or feather caulerpa. Or switch it out for chaeto, similar fast growth but noninvasive and doesn't go sexual.
Having a fuge filled with macro will help, but I think in the long run with a fuge that small it will not be enough to get rid of the hair algae on its own.
Alabama, I suggest you get a different type of macroalgae if you want it to have any chance of outcompeting the hair algae via fuge. That kind you have is caulerpa prolifera, one of the slowest growing caulerpa out there. If you don't mind the possible downfalls of caulerpa (invasive, potential to go sexual), I would get one of the faster growing ones like grape or feather caulerpa. Or switch it out for chaeto, similar fast growth but noninvasive and doesn't go sexual.
Having a fuge filled with macro will help, but I think in the long run with a fuge that small it will not be enough to get rid of the hair algae on its own.
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
There are both kinds but that is the one that grows the fasted. So what's up if it goes "sexual"?
OP
OP
Alabamareef
Well-Known Member
There are both kinds but that is the one that grows the fasted. So what's up if it goes "sexual"?
And I've got the hair algae knocked down. Good husbandry has done the job. Macro is just a bonus
And I've got the hair algae knocked down. Good husbandry has done the job. Macro is just a bonus
Damon
Well-Known Member
Been sick and in the hospital(I still am honestly).
My algea is multi(cheato,caluerpa,halemeda, and even some Dragon in there). I haven't had a sexual insurance once in the year and a half this system has been up. As I advised, lighting reverse of dt takes care of that.
I'm sorry but, until you use this level of lighting, you really don't know. The stuff grows fast. Since I'm sick,I will try and check in, in a few more days or so.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
My algea is multi(cheato,caluerpa,halemeda, and even some Dragon in there). I haven't had a sexual insurance once in the year and a half this system has been up. As I advised, lighting reverse of dt takes care of that.
I'm sorry but, until you use this level of lighting, you really don't know. The stuff grows fast. Since I'm sick,I will try and check in, in a few more days or so.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
