Recommendation for macro algae

[BlackTip]

I have a small refugium section in my sump, 12X18X20. It is fed by approx. 100gph from the return pump. The nozzle is placed just under the surface. My primary goal is to cultivate food. I have copepodes that seem to be doing ok. I want to have environment for them to thrive.

I tried Chaeto twice with bad result. The first ball came from a popular online vendor. The ball disintegrated within hours, and most of it made its way to the DT. The second ball came from an LFS. It turned brown and started dying within days.

Reefs2Go has many different types of macro algae.

What other macro algae do you recommend?
Also, is it a good idea to have macro algae in the DT?

I have this light for the fuge:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U9128XC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

[nuxx]

I've sound Chaeto to be super hardy...

Had it under less than ideal conditions and it didn't really grow, but didn't die.

Once conditions were better it just took off. I'm cutting out kitchen trashbag sized pieces every few weeks.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

What are you using for light in your sump and how long are you running it? Chaeto is easy to raise in a sump IMO and IME, Can you post a picture of your sump setup?

 

[nuxx]

What are you using for light in your sump and how long are you running it? Chaeto is easy to raise in a sump IMO and IME, Can you post a picture of your sump setup?

Running a cheap Chinese full spectrum 165 watt LED and 2 10 watt LED floods.

 

[nmotz]

Chaeto for me. I also have red gracilaria, but it doesn't grow as well as chaeto so I know it's not absorbing nutrients as quickly. I usually half my chaeto supply every month or so. It keeps my nitrates down from around 30ppm to between 5-10ppm.

 

[rt67ghy]

Chaeto grows easily for me and I'm only using some cheap LED lights. Also young pods love hanging out in the chaeto.

 

[running scott]

Cualerpa has worked great for me for many years. I pull handfuls out every week. I have mine under a CFL on 24/7. From what I've heard this keeps it from going sexual which apparently is a bad thing? Anyway it hasn't had sex with itself or anyone else for years as far as I know. Maybe it's bashful and won't do it with lights on?