Should I set up a refugium?

[dublinreefer]

Hi guys, I have been having problems for a while now with gha and diatoms and cotton candy algae in my 800litre mixed reef. I am currently using RowaPhos and NoPox and nitrates and phosphates are reading zero. I am confused tbh whether or not I have too many/ too little nutrients.

I was thinking of setting up a refugium about 10% of my DT's volume to try and outcompete this algae.(Currently using triton other methods.)

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

How long has your tank been running for?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Oh and welcome to the club!

 

[Flippers4pups]

If your getting no N03 and P04, setting up a refugium to grow macro algae probably won't work.

I would discontinue the Rowaphos and NoPox to get some nutrients up in your system.

Did you microscope ID the diatoms?

 

[dublinreefer]

Oh and welcome to the club!

Thx for the welcome and my tanks been running just over 2 years.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Oh.....

 

[dublinreefer]

If your getting no N03 and P04, setting up a refugium to grow macro algae probably won't work.

I would discontinue the Rowaphos and NoPox to get some nutrients up in your system.

Did you microscope ID the diatoms?

I did not microscope the diatoms just gave my best guess by their appearance. What u said makes sense about the refugium tho so I might just stick to my current methods and try to tune my Nopox dose a bit better as I feel I may have unbalanced nitrate and phosphate levels.

 

[dublinreefer]

By the way guys was wondering if anyone would like to see the progression of my tank in a thread as my situation is quite unusual. I bought the house I'm in now about a year ago and included was a 800 litre reef tank, fish and corals included. I had zero experience keeping aquariums as well so as u can imagine the learning curve for me has been quite crazy.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I did not microscope the diatoms just gave my best guess by their appearance. What u said makes sense about the refugium tho so I might just stick to my current methods and try to tune my Nopox dose a bit better as I feel I may have unbalanced nitrate and phosphate levels.

Could be dinoflagellates. Got a picture?

 

[90's reefer]

By the way guys was wondering if anyone would like to see the progression of my tank in a thread as my situation is quite unusual. I bought the house I'm in now about a year ago and included was a 800 litre reef tank, fish and corals included. I had zero experience keeping aquariums as well so as u can imagine the learning curve for me has been quite crazy.

Yes do a build thread.
Any pics and..

 

[dublinreefer]

Could be dinoflagellates. Got a picture?

Middle of the night here atm and I dont have a pic saved so I'll try and post one tmrw.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Okey-dokey. No shame, we are here to help.

 

[Jeffcb]

Yes. Defiantly. And UV filter.

 

[dublinreefer]

Yes do a build thread.
Any pics and..

View attachment 1879553

Great I'll start a build thread tmrw then. My tank is certainly a work in progress as I am still learning as I go along but at least theres some coral still alive . I've posted sum pics below anyway if ur interested.

 

[Pistondog]

Hi guys, I have been having problems for a while now with gha and diatoms and cotton candy algae in my 800litre mixed reef. I am currently using RowaPhos and NoPox and nitrates and phosphates are reading zero. I am confused tbh whether or not I have too many/ too little nutrients.

I was thinking of setting up a refugium about 10% of my DT's volume to try and outcompete this algae.(Currently using triton other methods.)

Any input would be appreciated.

Welcome Dublin reefer,
Awesome that you jumped right into it.
Refugiums lower nutrients and help raise ph by consuming co2 during photosynthesis.

 

[dublinreefer]

Welcome Dublin reefer,
Awesome that you jumped right into it.
Refugiums lower nutrients and help raise ph by consuming co2 during photosynthesis.

Hi thx for the welcome. Yeh certainly seems to be more benefits to refugiums than just nutrient control. Might just buy a cheap enough light and small enough amount of chaeto to start with, just to see if it will grow in my tanks current environment.

 

[Pistondog]

Hi thx for the welcome. Yeh certainly seems to be more benefits to refugiums than just nutrient control. Might just buy a cheap enough light and small enough amount of chaeto to start with, just to see if it will grow in my tanks current environment.

Ime you can't have too much par in the fuge, except for spillover


This has served me well and is the right price.

 

[dublinreefer]

Ime you can't have too much par in the fuge, except for spillover


This has served me well and is the right price.

Certainly looks like a good light but the shipping is 30 euro to Ireland. I have been looking at this waterproof light, think I might go for this one. Reviews are good also.