refugium and algae

[xxxjwxxx]

Okay... Ive tried searching and searching on this forums about algae and even on peteducation.com

Things I would like to.

13" long x 4.5" deep CPR refugium.

What algae is good for this refugium.. more in the filter aspect.

What is trimming? Why do you trim? How do you trim properly.

What is the A sexual algae thing with calupera algaes?

Whats a decent algae that will nto mess up the main tank?

 

[xxxjwxxx]

anyone?

 

[SpicyBalls]

i would recommend ulva, gracillaria typs (green/red), prolifera (undulated caulerpa), chaetomorpha (brillo pad).. i do not recommend caulerpa racemosa (grape like ones).. as they can put nitrates back into the water... what kind of fish you have in the main tank? some fish eat algae

 

[beaslbob]

Re: refugium and algae

Sorry we didn't respond sooner. I'll give it a try. Behind all these replies is my experience that plant life is the single most important and easist aspect of aquarium keeping.

Okay... Ive tried searching and searching on this forums about algae and even on peteducation.com

Things I would like to.

13" long x 4.5" deep CPR refugium.

I have heard the refugiums should be 30-40% of display volumn. that also agrees with my experience on my 55g. But then, I did not start the system with a refug and therefore had to play catchup. After the plant life has done its job perhaps less is needed. Plus a lot depends on the plant life in the display

What algae is good for this refugium.. more in the filter aspect.

Chaeto is good for a refug because it just takes on the size and shape on the container. And doesn't have to be "rooted" to the substrait. That said almost any of the common macros/plants will do a good job. Just that some need higher lighting and calcium is all.

What is trimming? Why do you trim? How do you trim properly.

Very similiar to land plants. Just basically pull some out. Sometimes it is good to "pinch off" the runners. But generally this is not critical. the macros will regrow.

What is the A sexual algae thing with calupera algaes?

It is a form of reproduction used by caulperas and other macros. Not desirable because the release of the agents make the tank a mess. It can be generally avoided with harvesting and insuring the macros have "grown up" in your system. It may have happened to me when I placed some new (and shipping stressed) macros in a tank that already had 0.0 nitrAtes. I guess the new stuff ws not used to low nutrients or my lighting. So it went sexual.

Whats a decent algae that will nto mess up the main tank?

Caulpera profilera does not attach to rock as I understand it. Also there are more "plant life" forms that look nice in the display and don't spread a fast. Shaving brushes, mermaid fans are some. I have not had good luck with those with my low light and calcium display. Additionally, your fish may eat anything you put in there.

HTH

 

[xxxjwxxx]

hehe, now ive tried to type in that name... is there a scientific name for the algae? On fishsupply theres only a few. on liveaquria i didnt see the names you wote. but thanks for all that information.

 

[mesocosm]

An ecommerce site with scientific name, common name, and pictures of several typically available macroalgae is:

http://www.liveplants.gulf-coast.net/macroalgae.htm .

A potentially useful (but currently incomplete ...) macroalgae reference site is:

http://mabma.thereeftank.com/ .


The classic macroalgae reference site (when it's working ...) is:

http://www.algaebase.org .


Hope this is useful ...

 

[beaslbob]

it was useful. thanks. the links are all bookmarked now

 

[raguilar]

Is it OK to have chaeto in your main tank?

I heard if you have the light on chaeto, it takes up oxygen and fluctuates your Alk. I have a lot in my main tank. NO problems so far. Just no time to set up a refugium just yet.

 

[beaslbob]

Is it OK to have chaeto in your main tank?

I heard if you have the light on chaeto, it takes up oxygen and fluctuates your Alk. I have a lot in my main tank. NO problems so far. Just no time to set up a refugium just yet.

I have chaeto in my display and it does fine. All plant life consumes carbon dioxide and release oxygen when lit. The plant life in your system will stabilize it. Ph will rise with lights on and drop with loghts off as the carbon dioxide varies. But without plant life carbon dioxide can build up to where the ph is constantly low. Better to have the carbon dioxide being consumed even if it varies through the day.