Requirements for succesful macro?

[eb8919]

Well finally got my sump going with all equiptment ls and lr. 2ime for the macro, and just need to clarify on the best way to grow it...lighting, schedule etc.

[jthao]

reverse lighting cycle from your DT lights, or 24/7 lighting. a little bit of flow through there is necessary, I actually have a little powerhead in my fuge that tumbles my chaeto around.

[IslandCrow]

Jthao pretty much hit everything. It's really very simple. You don't have to do the reverse cycle lighting, but providing light for the macro algae when the display tank is dark helps balance O2 and CO2 levels in your tank. And since the CO2 levels are better balanced between night and day, you'll generally keep a more stable PH. For lighting, I just got one of the aluminum shop light reflectors from the hardware store and a daylight screw in compact fluorescent bulb.

[eb8919]

what is chaeto excactly....anything like copepods?

[crsswift70]

chaetomorph is a macro algae. Green brilo-pad looking stuff. Great stuff.

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12829744#post12829744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eb8919
what is chaeto excactly....anything like copepods?

chaeto is a macro algae and copopods are inverts that live in and around the chaeto

here is a good thread on refugiums and macro aglae


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443

there is an index to the first part of the thread on page 7 or 8 or the new split

(its up for thread of the month---if you find it useful I would appreciate your vote)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r107/reefescapetangster/IMG_4527.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r107/reefescapetangster/IMG_4522.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r107/reefescapetangster/IMG_4521.jpg

[abulgin]

You say "macro" but that is a broad word. Most people use either Chaetomorpha or Caulerpa to remove dissolved organics.

Lighting IS important if you choose to use caulerpa which can "go sexual" (reproduce) and completely foul your tank. To reduce (but not eliminate) the risk, you should light your fuge 24/7.

If you choose Chaeto, you can light your fuge only 12/7 (should be on reverse daylight cycle as stated above) because Chaeto doesn't go sexual. Chaeto also has the added benefit of being a great medium for propogating copepods, mysis shrimp, bristle worms and other beneficial stuff.

[eb8919]

This has been very informative and i thank all posters for that. The article has been especially good and i'm going to stamp a vote on it for sure. ;)

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12830677#post12830677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eb8919
This has been very informative and i thank all posters for that. The article has been especially good and i'm going to stamp a vote on it for sure. ;)

thanks it is appreciated

hey albugin are you going to vote for it too--please:)

[fishfl]

65k lighting works the best for growth.

[IslandCrow]

I believe you mean 6,500 Kelvin (that's color temperature, not the temperature of the bulb) or 6.5k (as in thousands). That's what I use as well, and it seems to work quite well.