Three option macro growing

[NeonRabbit221B]

I recently got the indo-pacific sea farms refugium starter kit which came with 4 macros. My tank is a 40B with a 29G sump and im not running a skimmer.

• 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)

My sump currently have a fuge with a 3x turnover rate after the return with a par28 fuge bulb, an unused skimmer section on the drain with a faster flow rate (8x) and a DIY chaeto reactor with RGBW leds I can tone the spectrum and flow rate (3x-10x). I am trying to determine where I should place each macro or if I should toss one of them. I am trying to get a mandarin at some point and have a low bioload currently but will likely increase it. Any advice on placement

 

[ThePurple12]

I'm not sure I understand, you can put them wherever you want. What's keeping you from throwing them all in the refugium?

 

[ThePurple12]

About flow, IME it really doesn't matter with macroalgae. All the kinds I have will thrive in hardly any flow to high flow.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I have heard they can out compete each other. Also space in the fuge is relatively small 9"x11.5"x12.5" and drain section is 10.5"x11.5"x9". Should I utilize the drain section or is redundant because it is feeding the reactor and fuge.

 

[ThePurple12]

You shouldn't have any issues putting them together in the fuge.

I wouldn't worry about competition, especially if your nutrient levels are good (at least a few ppm nitrate and detectable phosphate). I've never seen it in either of my tanks, one of which is a 30 gallon filled with different species of macro, or heard of it in other tanks. I think that's more of a nuisance algae vs macroalgae thing or potentially a reef myth! Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You can put them in the drain section if you want, I see no reason not to. Whether macros are in the fuge or not, they're still filtering the water.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

You shouldn't have any issues putting them together in the fuge.

I wouldn't worry about competition, especially if your nutrient levels are good (at least a few ppm nitrate and detectable phosphate). I've never seen it in either of my tanks, one of which is a 30 gallon filled with different species of macro, or heard of it in other tanks. I think that's more of a nuisance algae vs macroalgae thing or potentially a reef myth! Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You can put them in the drain section if you want, I see no reason not to. Whether macros are in the fuge or not, they're still filtering the water.

I appreciate the advice! First time dealing with macros and refugiums so didn't want to cause any issues with it.

 

[ThePurple12]

It sounds like you're on the right track! It's hard not to be with macros, as they're so hardy.