What is too much macro algae in your sump?

[jcherr007]

I’m getting a algae smell from my sump and I’m wondering if it’s tied to too much algae? Is it because it’s not turning over? Not enough water movement?

 

[lapin]

Algae is going to smell. Im not sure how you can avoid it without removing all the algae.
Its like 2 stroke caster oil, you either love that smell or not.

 

[S2G]

Honestly I haven't had an algae smell, but I just run chaeto. Smells like the beach unless I lift the skimmer lid

 

[jcherr007]

Honestly I haven't had an algae smell, but I just run chaeto. Smells like the beach unless I lift the skimmer lid

I haven’t either, it just started smelling 2 days ago.. that’s why I’m asking...

 

[fcmatt]

Well you can always experiment by removing 90% of it and let it grow out again. Did the smell go away? Return next week for another exciting episode of Strange Reef Smells!

 

[X-37B]

I would through a small powerhead in and see if it helps before I removed any. Getting some surface agitation with it should help.

 

[S2G]

I haven’t either, it just started smelling 2 days ago.. that’s why I’m asking...

I'd say it needs to be thinned out or more flow to break it up. Have you stirred it up?

 

[DarkSky]

Half of my 75 g sump is a chaeto refugium, and it is packed to the max. I take about half of it out every other week. It smells like algae normally - just something you are either going to like or dislike.

 

[Bryce M.]

My fuge is overfilling with ulva, it's a green box. Smells like algae, mine is so back I have to physically stir it around every day!

 

[jcherr007]

I’ve been stirring it.. my lfs suggested I put carbon in the sump to pull the smell out. Being the setup is 2 months old he thinks it’s part of being “new”, but I’ve not had it like this on other tanks....