Refugium

[edwincis]

Can anyone enlighten me on what should be place inside the refugium. Is it that i just need to provide a 6500k light 24/7 to allow the algae to grow or i need to pour in solution or plants to make it into a refugium tank???

[Morgan]

Get/buy some macro algae and place them in there it to grow.....the algae are basically use for nutrient export.

The algae can be grown in the main tank if you don't have fishes that eat them.

You don't have to add fertilier (solution).....like what they normally do for freshwater.

[edwincis]

Thanks a lot. By the way do you have any idea what brand or macro algae to buy and where to buy it?

[ryan]

macro algae is just the usual 'seaweed' looking "plants" you see at the marine shops or farms. go check them out!

[terryansimon]

check out on the different types first.

certain ones tend to go asexual quite fast.

[Hondace]

no need to add any solution or additives. the algae will take consume the nitrate in ur tank. just need lights to be on.

Heard the grape caulerpa goes asexual easily. So I'm using the fern type instead. Can buy at most LFS, usually they will place in in their return tank to take out the nitrate b4 pumping the water back to the rest of the tanks.

[SharkBait]

the fern type is just as bad as the grape ones

[Virus]

Sorry... my english is not very good LOL.. what do you mean by asexual? you mean they multiply fast?

I plan to have some in my main tank coz somehw i think they're quite pretty in certain ways...

so recommended is those fern type?

[garan]

i put two rock of maiden's hair (turtle grass) in my sump tank as algae, it serve quite well as my NO3 is almost at 0 (3PPM) the only downside is that it abit exp. can cost about 12-16 depend on the LFS.

[Hondace]

the fern type is just as bad as the grape ones

Hi Sharkbait,

so any good marco to recommend as u mentioned the fern is also as bad as the grape?

[Nickel]

Pls advise where to get the ferns and grapes ?

Is it advisable to put them into the refugium while cycling ?

[Octopuffy]

Wat if I wanna put the maiden's hair (turtle grass) in my main tank and does not wish to on the lights 24/7?

Also, issit confirm that they do not require other nutrients other than nitrate?

Thnx

[roidan]

in my experience..it is not easy to keep turtle weed for a few months....somehow will turn white also....AT has the same experience if i am not wrong

[hippo]

Hi Sharkbait,

so any good marco to recommend as u mentioned the fern is also as bad as the grape?

Macroalgae requires lighting for a period of 18 to 24 hours per day. The reason for the such photoperiod is that plants only convert carbon dioxide while lighting is available.

When light off, plants use oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This can result in a decline in pH, and proper buffering agents need to be employed.

Some macroalgae will turn sexual or spawing during the dark period as it mimic the lunar phase cycle. This can prevented by harvesting/trimming of the algae when needed.

Do read more over here

[anakjoh]

I gave up on turtle weed after three attempts but I still feel the temptation. (Never say die)

I don't think there's much help for algae going asexual - just have to keep a constant lookout to remove it before it crashes.

[ReDDeviLs]

i put two rock of maiden's hair (turtle grass) in my sump tank as algae, it serve quite well as my NO3 is almost at 0 (3PPM) the only downside is that it abit exp. can cost about 12-16 depend on the LFS.

are they hay grass?

[edwincis]

Anyone have any idea how much plants i should put for a three feet tank with 2 1/2 ft sump and have 80ppm nitrate? Btw I have a blue tang,one maroon clown,one puffer fish, one mandrain fish, one hawk fish and 2 lobster.Oh ya last but not least the bully yellow tail damsel.

[hippo]

I gave up on turtle weed after three attempts but I still feel the temptation. (Never say die)

I don't think there's much help for algae going asexual - just have to keep a constant lookout to remove it before it crashes.

Where you got your turtle weed? How it looks like? Does it attach to LR?

[FuEl]

Perhaps to keep turtle weed alive one should check on information on where they come from. Lighting alone might not be enough. Some algae needs lots of nutrients to grow.