Macro algae for my refugium

[reef rico]

I got a 45 gallon tank and have already made a custom purchase for a 40 gallon sump. My question is what is the best type of macro algae or plant to put in there. The refugium will be holding around 30L and wil have a lamp over it woth around 5100k.

 

[xcreonx]

Chaetomorpha algae is probably the most popular. Other than that any of the various Caulerpa species, namely C. Prolifera.

You may also try some of the red algaes.

 

[reef rico]

Are those 2 types good at removing phosphate because right now i got a bad problem with phosphates!

 

[Aquarist007]

Lets look at some of the causes of high phosphates/

Are you using tap water instead of ro water?

What and how you are feeding---cut back on the amount that you feed at once--go to smaller more frequent feedings.

Use a phosbane reactor/s--these are under 50 dollars including the medium and do a great job

 

[reef rico]

lol i use to use tap water for top offs but since i discovered i was putting phosphates into my tank i stopped topping off comletly. I soley rely on my saltwater which i buy from my LFS and my salinity has been .023 for around 5 months. So top offs not the cause. I use to have no fish and rarely fed and now ive only got one coral beauty which i feed in small amounts with frozen foods, pellets and flakes. So its probebly not that either. The only thing it could be is i use a halide which is not made for tanks and have disovered its only 4000k. Im working on buying a new bulb but other than that every things fine. I bought a phosphate removing type of sponge but my hair algae still grows. Is that from the light or phospahte and the last time i cheked my phospahte was 1ppm. But i have lowered it and will test it again.

 

[reef rico]

I might look at purchasing a phosphate reactor.

 

[xcreonx]

the light isnt going to add phosphates to your tank. lights only help photosynthetic things grow, like hair algae. The algae will still need the right amount of nutrients in the water, which tap water and fish food certainly provide.

What is your water change schedule?

Since you used tap water previously, it's possible there's alot of left over heavy metals and junk from the water in your tank. Can you do a series of big water changes?

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10982242#post10982242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xcreonx
the light isnt going to add phosphates to your tank. lights only help photosynthetic things grow, like hair algae. The algae will still need the right amount of nutrients in the water, which tap water and fish food certainly provide.

What is your water change schedule?

Since you used tap water previously, it's possible there's alot of left over heavy metals and junk from the water in your tank. Can you do a series of big water changes?

you beat me too--I agree--its not only the phosphates that are added if you use tap water

might be to your advantage to run the duel system like the pic above--the carbon would help remove the left over heavy metals and other DOC's

 

[reef rico]

i do a 30-40% water change around every 2 weeks.
Ill probably have to buy a phosphate reactor and do some huge changes and chuck in lots of hermits to remove the hair algae!