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View Full Version : My Algae doesn't think it Algae


Tuton
03/29/2013, 06:02 PM
I added a 20 gallon sump and most of it is used as a refugium. It has about 600gph of flow and a 100watt yellowish house bulb that runs for 13 hours opposite my main tank.
I CAN'T GET ANY ALGAE TO GROW IN MY SUMP!!!!
I don't know what the problem is. In my main tank the algae grows worst in the direct flow of my Korolia 1050 and under my very blue light. I keep scrapping the algae but then my Phosphates and Nitrates spike and I lose parts of my Pipe Organ coral (I'm netting as much out as I can but I can't get it all). The coral is starting to grow again so I don't want to do anything but I can't see through the glass.
Any Ideas anyone???

Bigcefa
03/29/2013, 06:25 PM
What type of algae do you have in the fuge? I'd first try running the fuge 24/7 so it has a chance to out compete the algae in the dt. Hair algae will suck out phosphates much better than macro in the sump so your fuge alone won't rid the algae. Gotta get your nutrients down . Water changes, change bulbs if needed, get algae grazers to help

Tuton
03/29/2013, 06:34 PM
I killed the aptasia I found in my sump
nothing survives down there for some reason......not even hair algae (what I'm trying to grow)

Bigcefa
03/29/2013, 06:52 PM
Ok wellll first off fuges are usually used for macro algae, if your wanting to grow some hair algae research algae turf scrubbers

Tuton
03/29/2013, 06:59 PM
I did, and I planned on one, but after building the sump there wasn't enough room to add one
I've tried twice with Turtle Caulerpa but it doesn't last very long

Bigcefa
03/29/2013, 07:01 PM
I'd try some chaeto

meisel1
03/29/2013, 07:04 PM
what kind of bulb are you using..100 watts means nothing if the par is less than 38 and the k value is too low....i use a 75w par 38 5700k from home depot and it grows anything
http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a522/robertmeisel/004_zps3a4c923f.jpg

Tuton
03/29/2013, 07:08 PM
I don't know what the PAR readings are but its a standerd incandescent bulb that has a really yellow color

Wizzard~Of~Ozz
03/29/2013, 07:37 PM
Why not use a 23w CF bulb? Much better than incandescent since those are almost all red spectrum with very low penetration and higher power consumption. The daylight cf models are 6500k and are quite common for growing plants.

KeithB
03/29/2013, 10:01 PM
Ditch the incadescent. Get a cfl grow light. Watch your fuge take off.

Jstdv8
03/29/2013, 10:58 PM
You can make a small little scrubber in there. How big is your display tank, and how much do you feed?

Jstdv8
03/29/2013, 10:59 PM
The algae won't grow in your sump because its getting out competed by all the gha in your display tank I'm guessing.
You are going to have to pluck out the gha in the dt a few times.