When is it time for a REFUGIUM anyway?

[g5flier]

I'm getting some GHA (green hair algae) in my 140 gallon system. Nitrates are generally between 6ppm and 8ppm (Red Sea Kit) and Phosphates 0.06/0.07 (Hanna Phosphorus ULR). Using only RODI for water w/0 TDS. System is just under 1 year old, lots of coralline and mixed corals but mostly LPS. I'd like to get Nitrates down to about 2ppm so I'm at a 16:1 ratio. Really do not want to do carbon dosing, etc. I have 12 gallons in my sump that's ready for a refugium and I have a Kessil H380 light. My question is at what point are there enough nutrients to keep Chaeto alive and growing?

 

[Zack K]

I'm getting some GHA (green hair algae) in my 140 gallon system. Nitrates are generally between 6ppm and 8ppm (Red Sea Kit) and Phosphates 0.06/0.07 (Hanna Phosphorus ULR). Using only RODI for water w/0 TDS. System is just under 1 year old, lots of coralline and mixed corals but mostly LPS. I'd like to get Nitrates down to about 2ppm so I'm at a 16:1 ratio. Really do not want to do carbon dosing, etc. I have 12 gallons in my sump that's ready for a refugium and I have a Kessil H380 light. My question is at what point are there enough nutrients to keep Chaeto alive and growing?

I started my refugium 1 month after I started the tank. I would say if you are seeing GHA you should be okay to start a refugium. But if you see your numbers start to plummet quickly, I would start feeding heavily.

 

[g5flier]

I started my refugium 1 month after I started the tank. I would say if you are seeing GHA you should be okay to start a refugium. But if you see your numbers start to plummet quickly, I would start feeding heavily.

Thanks for the reply, I sometimes wonder if I feed enough, I mean the fish are very healthy looking with nice round bellies but, I have 10 fish which includes 3 tangs (3-4 inches) and they get 2 mysis cubes and a few pinches of small pellets a day

I started my refugium 1 month after I started the tank. I would say if you are seeing GHA you should be okay to start a refugium. But if you see your numbers start to plummet quickly, I would start feeding heavily.

Do you recall what your Nitrate was at the time?

 

[ChrisOFL]

Chaeto needs very little nutrients to thrive. My phosphates have always registered 0.00 naturally (even before I added chaeto) and this does not inhibit growth. My nitrates stay around 10-20 because of how much I feed but everything is doing great and my chaeto grows wild.

 

[g5flier]

Chaeto needs very little nutrients to thrive. My phosphates have always registered 0.00 naturally (even before I added chaeto) and this does not inhibit growth. My nitrates stay around 10-20 because of how much I feed but everything is doing great and my chaeto grows wild.

I just didn't want to start up the refugium and have the chaeto die off. Sounds like good light, some nutrients and flow will do the trick.

 

[Luno]

You'll be fine, I usually start it up as soon as I can't detect ammonia and nitrite after initial cycle.

 

[ChrisOFL]

I just didn't want to start up the refugium and have the chaeto die off. Sounds like good light, some nutrients and flow will do the trick.

The only time I ever really see it die off is if people are using GFO. The fish provide plenty of nutrients. I too have some GHA but I've noticed this stuff tends to grow where some sort of detritus is available. For me it's my bubble algae that is dying off on its own free will by some miracle I can't explain. I thought it was my emerald crab but this is on a rock he never climbs.

 

[TreyC2010]

Also, you don’t necessarily need it to tumble. Just have flow going through it. That light is great. I used that in a 60 cube and it was above expectations.

 

[Zack K]

Thanks for the reply, I sometimes wonder if I feed enough, I mean the fish are very healthy looking with nice round bellies but, I have 10 fish which includes 3 tangs (3-4 inches) and they get 2 mysis cubes and a few pinches of small pellets a day

Do you recall what your Nitrate was at the time?

Was and is 160ppm

 

[Fishfinder]

I have a very small fuge and it is keeping my nutrients at 0 and 0 despite feeding 1-2 times daily

 

[g5flier]

Was and is 160ppm

OMG!

 

[Zack K]

OMG!

It’s really not a problem. I see amazing growth and colors. Even out of SPS when I can figure out my alk.

I have not done anything to the tank in the past month besides feed, empty the skimmer collection container, and scraped the glass once.