Question for people with refugiums

[2ras]

Do you have cyno in your refugium?

My display tank has no visable cyno, hair algae, nor any other problematic algea/bacteria outbreaks anywhere.

I do, however have cynobacteria (red slime) in my refugium, which has to be removed every two-three weeks (just pull the chaeto algae out, rinse & place back into the refugium).

Parameters;
Tank Age: 10 months
Display: 180 gallons
Sump/refugium: 55 gallons
(Tested by Salifert Test Kits)
NH4: 0 (undetectable)
NO2: 0 (undetectable)
NO3: 0 (undetectable)
PO4: 0 (undetectable)
KH: 9
Ca: 400
Mg: 1350
SG: 1.025
PH: 7.85 to 8.10 (has allways been in this range)
Temp: 78.5 (+/- 0.5 variance)
Bio Load: 5-chromis, 1 Bluethroat Trigger, 1-Naso tang, 2-Bangai Cardinals, 1-Rusty Angelfish, 1-sixline Wrasse, 1-Clarkii Clownfish, 1-Yellowtail Damsel, 1-Electric blue Damsel.
Inverts: 4-cleaner shrimp, 1-Emerald Crab, 3-Sandsifting Stars, 2-Orange Linkia Stars, 1-Brown Serpent Star, 1-Basket Star. 80-Nassarius snails, 9-turbo snails, a few hermits (to eat the snails).

Feeding-once per day;
Qty: one small pinch of Thera-A (w/garlic)
1-small frozen pellet of Mysis (Thawed & drained)
1-frozen pellet of Plankton (Thawed & drained)
1-frozen pellet of Bloodworms (Thawed & drained)

The fresh food placed into the tank by eye dropper a little at a time, until eaten. All is gone under 2 minutes. If any food is remaining in the vial, it is used for the following day.
I have to make sure the Triggerfish is happy so it doesn't look at its smaller tankmates as a possible snack.

1-2" x 2" sheet of nori (for the herbivors).

So, that's all my info on my system. I've even put a small mini-jet into the refugium to increase internal flow.

I have read many things about cyno; increase flow, more water changes, decrease flow, reduce PO4, reduce NO3, reduce feedings, etc.

Any opinions?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Truthfully, I wouldn't be worried about it if it is confined to your lower flow refugium. I used to have it in there and it eventually just went away.

 

[pwhitby]

Yes.

Its a combination of high light, low flow and nutrients from the tank as well as metabolising macro and micro-algae. Its nothing to worry about.

 

[Snprhed]

Do you have a protein skimmer?

 

[poke75]

My macro gets it growing on top also. No where else, just on top of the macor.

 

[2ras]

Travis,
I'm more worried about the chance of it going to the main tank.

Paul,
Should I have my refugium on a reverse lighting schedule of the main tank? Currently the refugium lights are on 24/7. They are two lamps rated for 11K @ 15W ea. (You've gotta know by now...I worry about everything. If I don't have anything, then I'll find something)

Snprhed,
Yes I have a Euro Reef CS8-2, and it's working fine.

Poke75,
My cyno is all over the exposed (outside) areas of the Chaeto, parts of the sand, glass, & rock.



Observation:

I have noticed that all of my fuzzy green & blob (technicial term here) type algae that one developes inside the overflow boxes & along the pipes (durso & return) have disapeared. I remember a month or so ago, it was filled with the fuzzy green & blob algae.

Could it be that the afore mentioned algae utilized all the all of the excess nutrients? Then have a die off?
And now, because there isn't any algae growth in the overflows, maybe that's why the cyno has made an apperance in my refugium?
Could this be an epiphany, or just wishful thinking.

btw... I finally got my Avatar loaded.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6999602#post6999602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2ras
Travis,
I'm more worried about the chance of it going to the main tank.

If it was going to spread, it most likely would have by now since this has been happening for at least a month. I have a feeling it's mostly a matter of low flow in the refugium and nothing to be alarmed about.