Triton Algae/fuge ?'s

[ericegg01]

1.) I read many posts saying you need different types of algae in your fuge... but no one ever states which kinds. Also since I'm starting my tank new where does one obtain said algae's or am I just letting it grow on it's own?

2.) Should I had this algae during the cycle or after? If during is it prudent to have the lights on in the sump to grow the algae while the tank is cycling.

 

[TbyZ]

Go an algae scrubber instead.
Smaller space needed, very efficient & the algae that grows on the screen appears like magic, for free.

 

[GoVols]

All I know is that there is two kinds of Triton.
I believe on a young tank "The Others" maybe the best Triton method to start off with but I could be wrong

@justingraham @Jason mack

Do you guys have any incite to help @ericegg01 get on the right track, from the get go, with the Triton products?

Thanks, Freddie

 

[GoVols]

Go an algae scrubber instead.
Smaller space needed, very efficient & the algae that grows on the screen appears like magic, for free.

Many ways to skin a cat

 

[justingraham]

If you do not have a diverse algea bed in the fuge I would go the other methods for two sessions worth. Or until u diversify your algae bed

What's in my fuge huh let me think
Chetto
Dragons breath
Mangroves
Gha
Couple sponges
Bubble calerpa
And some red type algae

Where did I get them
Chetto is everywhere
Mangroves and bubble calerpa my lfs
Sponges from aquavista
Red type algae was from algea barn
And dragons breath was from reefapoliza

I would check out algea barn tho so I can also load up on pods


Let the tank cycle and then add the algea don't skimp on the light either I run a kessil a380 or something like that and before that was a hydro 26 hd I tried the light bulb way and nothing grew

Here's a pic of mine (also side note my corals are dieing I do not believe it is from the triton but just want to be truthful)

 

[Jason mack]

1.) I read many posts saying you need different types of algae in your fuge... but no one ever states which kinds. Also since I'm starting my tank new where does one obtain said algae's or am I just letting it grow on it's own?

2.) Should I had this algae during the cycle or after? If during is it prudent to have the lights on in the sump to grow the algae while the tank is cycling.

If your still cycling your tank there is imo no need too use triton yet .. I would let your tank first cycle and then after 6 months or so when your tank is more established and has a few corals in it and when there is a need to dose calc, alk and mag.. adding Triton at this early stage is only going too cause an inbalance ...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

1.) I read many posts saying you need different types of algae in your fuge... but no one ever states which kinds. Also since I'm starting my tank new where does one obtain said algae's or am I just letting it grow on it's own?

2.) Should I had this algae during the cycle or after? If during is it prudent to have the lights on in the sump to grow the algae while the tank is cycling.

Its fine to grow multiple macroalgae types, but over time one will typically outcompete the other and there's no advantage I can see to more than one type. What could the advantage even be (besides looks)?

I'd stick to just chaetomorpha in a new tank, either purchased or gotten from a nearby reefer who probably throws it away.

It doesn't really matter if you have macroalgae during cycling or not, but I generally would wait.

 

[ericegg01]

OK thanx for the replies... I don't want to use an algae scrubber since the triton method requires 20% fuge for algae growth so I've read.

I've read the posts where the different species would compete for dominance is there one type we would prefer over the other?

I'll let my tank cycle fully however during the cycle maybe @ the 4-6 week mark would it be wise to start a light cycle (6-8hrs) to promote the growth or am I asking for trouble?

Reading the initial setup via triton they tell you to test then start the core7 supplements, never said anything about waiting so that's a bit confusing to me.

 

[TbyZ]

OK thanx for the replies... I don't want to use an algae scrubber since the triton method requires 20% fuge for algae growth

Yes, exactly why I would use an algae scrubber.

 

[Jason mack]

OK thanx for the replies... I don't want to use an algae scrubber since the triton method requires 20% fuge for algae growth so I've read.

I've read the posts where the different species would compete for dominance is there one type we would prefer over the other?

I'll let my tank cycle fully however during the cycle maybe @ the 4-6 week mark would it be wise to start a light cycle (6-8hrs) to promote the growth or am I asking for trouble?

Reading the initial setup via triton they tell you to test then start the core7 supplements, never said anything about waiting so that's a bit confusing to me.

I must admit i also find iT a bit confusing ! From what ive read and was lead too believe was that Triton was more for an established tank .. if your tank has no corals in it there won't be any uptake of calc alk and mag !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

OK thanx for the replies... I don't want to use an algae scrubber since the triton method requires 20% fuge for algae growth so I've read.

I've read the posts where the different species would compete for dominance is there one type we would prefer over the other?

I'll let my tank cycle fully however during the cycle maybe @ the 4-6 week mark would it be wise to start a light cycle (6-8hrs) to promote the growth or am I asking for trouble?

Reading the initial setup via triton they tell you to test then start the core7 supplements, never said anything about waiting so that's a bit confusing to me.

Chaetomorpha is the best choice, as I mentioned, despite not being the most efficient.

Other factors are critical, such as the more efficient Caulerpa racemosa becoming a nearly impossible pest in the display tank.

As I said, I'd wait till you are done cycling, but you can start earlier if you want and if there are adequate nutrients in the water.

 

[TbyZ]

I must admit i also find iT a bit confusing ! From what ive read and was lead too believe was that Triton was more for an established tank .. if your tank has no corals in it there won't be any uptake of calc alk and mag !

Algae take up bicarbonates (a source of co2) & calcium as well as no3 & po4 as it grows as does calcareous algae.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Algae take up bicarbonates (a source of co2) & calcium as well as no3 & po4 as it grows as does calcareous algae.

Most algae do not consume significant alkalinity or calcium, unless they are calcerous algae such as halimeda.

While algae can often take up bicarbonate, they do not deplete alkalinity because they then excrete hydroxide and use just the CO2 they get that way:

HCO3- ---> OH- + CO2

 

[TbyZ]

Most algae do not consume significant alkalinity or calcium, unless they are calcerous algae such as halimeda.

While algae can often take up bicarbonate, they do not deplete alkalinity because they then excrete hydroxide and use just the CO2 they get that way:

HCO3- ---> OH- + CO2

I noted a significant uptake of alk when i put an algae scrubber in my system. Other than calcareous algae taking off how else could that be explained?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I noted a significant uptake of alk when i put an algae scrubber in my system. Other than calcareous algae taking off how else could that be explained?

A pH rise increases demand for alkalinity, both by corals and through abiotic precipitation. Perhaps that was the cause.

Reduced phosphate may also increase alk demand through more calcification by corals or increased abiotic precipitation, with the phosphate no longer poisoning the CaCO3 crystals surfaces as much.

 

[ericegg01]

Caulerpa racemosa = Bubble algae
Calcareous algae = Coralline
(sorry I'm not up to speed on my algae Sci. names)

So what I came up with is cycle first, then cheato and maybe mangroves since I can buy them, then GHA should start growing on it's own (right?). Coralline should grow on it's own as well or there are some rocks at my lfs that has some on it. I won't mind if this stuff grows in the fuge hence why I want to start at end of cycle but I don't want it in my DT other than the coraline, this is my worry.

On a side note and something to humble everyone with... here's a tip.

Don't cement your plumbing before you give a full test run... needless to say a 20gal return tank filled half way will not take on the residual water from the 15gals draining into it. I totally miscalculated that. Now I have to tear down and start all over again. Lesson learned

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Caulerpa racemosa = Bubble algae
Calcareous algae = Coralline
(sorry I'm not up to speed on my algae Sci. names)
]

Actually, caulerpa racemosa is most often called grape caulerpa.

Bubble algae is a valonia species.

Not all calcerous algae is coralline (halimeda is calcerous, for example), but coralline is a calcerous algae.

 

[justingraham]

Also mangroves will do nothing except look cool