Got a 20 long refugium under my main tank and I just started it with a Mix and match from IPSF with includes pods, live sand, Red Gracilaria. I have 2 x 55 pc lighting and about 250gph flow. Also have Chaetomorpha in it. Questions?? How long for lights daily and right on top of the glass canapy or hang them higher. Flow amount right?? Do I need additives. Temp?? Also I have alittle red slime going on now, what to do. Sorry for all the questions but THIS place seems to have lots of info
Chaetomorpha and Red Gracilaria
- Thread starter dfwatson
- Start date
Lights--run them 10-12 hours, preferably opposite of the time your tank lights are on, so you get the benefit of increased pH stability. I have mine right on top of one tank, and sitting on the canopy (about 6 inches above the water) in a another tank--whichever works better for you.
Additives--general guide is to add only what you can test. Calcium may need supplementing, as a buffer as well as to replace that removed by coral growth. Red slime--lots of thread on that, search for cyano.
Additives--general guide is to add only what you can test. Calcium may need supplementing, as a buffer as well as to replace that removed by coral growth. Red slime--lots of thread on that, search for cyano.
I agree with what OG said about photoperiod; 10-12 hours, opposite main tank. I would keep them right on top. If you have an acrylic lens on the light fixture, you could even remove the glass top.
For the macroalgae, I don't use any additives. I do add caclium and alkalinity supplements for the corals in the main tank, and the macros may benefit from that.
I will often get a little cyano on the chaeto at the surface, probably where there is little flow. If you got the little "strombus" snails from IPSF, they'll help a bit, but I have to shake it up occasionally.
For the macroalgae, I don't use any additives. I do add caclium and alkalinity supplements for the corals in the main tank, and the macros may benefit from that.
I will often get a little cyano on the chaeto at the surface, probably where there is little flow. If you got the little "strombus" snails from IPSF, they'll help a bit, but I have to shake it up occasionally.