In Display Refugium

[Freenow54]

Could I Please get explained how an in Display or using a sump to keep and grow Cheato or Macro algae is beneficial? doesn't the waste just create more issues? How do you spell Cheato for iuhytf sakes

 

[Dom]

Could I Please get explained how an in Display or using a sump to keep and grow Cheato or Macro algae is beneficial? doesn't the waste just create more issues? How do you spell Cheato for iuhytf sakes

The idea of growing Chaetomorpha in a refugium, regardless of where its located, is nutrient export. The Chaetomorpha uses the nutrient as a food source and continues to grow. As you trim back the Chaetomorpha and remove it from the tank, you are taking all of the nutrient it consumed with it. That is the actual export.

I used to grow Chaetomorpha in the main display using a Nori clip. Not the prettiest, but I'm more about functionality than aesthetics.

 

[Freenow54]

The idea of growing Chaetomorpha in a refugium, regardless of where its located, is nutrient export. The Chaetomorpha uses the nutrient as a food source and continues to grow. As you trim back the Chaetomorpha and remove it from the tank, you are taking all of the nutrient it consumed with it. That is the actual export.

I used to grow Chaetomorpha in the main display using a Nori clip. Not the prettiest, but I'm more about functionality than aesthetics.

So you throw it out?

 

[Dom]

So you throw it out?

I throw it out, but you can also give it to someone that wants to start Chaeto in their tank.

 

[zwalter38]

I have a 35g cube plumbed into my main display. The cube is set up as a display refugium so more decorative macro algae then just chaeto. It’s very efficient at nutrient export for my system. The main tank is a 135g and the 35 cube keep my nitrates below 10 and phosphates below 0.03. I also very rarely do water changes so it’s very effective in my case. When the refugium becomes a jungle I just start ripping and cutting it out. Now I’m trying to use the clippings to feed my tangs.

 

[Staghorn]

By removing the algae you are exporting the nutrients, if you place it back into your aquarium for fish food the nutrients stay in the water to be pooped out again into the system. Years ago I had a pulsing Xenia filter/fuge, they grew so fast I would remove 5-10 frags weekly and that kept nutrients in check pretty well.

 

[zwalter38]

By removing the algae you are exporting the nutrients, if you place it back into your aquarium for fish food the nutrients stay in the water to be pooped out again into the system. Years ago I had a pulsing Xenia filter/fuge, they grew so fast I would remove 5-10 frags weekly and that kept nutrients in check pretty well.

Yes and no. Yea the algae is being converted into fish waste which introduces nutrients back into the water. However the process of removing the nutrients with the algae is fairly simple. The algae consumes the nutrients as it grows and yes “stores the nutrients”. However when you remove the algae it provides space for more algae to grow and consume more nutrients. Feeding the algae to tangs does not directly add the “stored nutrients” back into the water column by way of fish waste. You are going to feed your fish with or without the algae anyway and in turn will produce fish waste. So it makes no difference in the nutrient cycle whether you use your macro algae or fish pellets as food for you fish.

 

[Staghorn]

Well, what I meant in the post above is “if “ the idea of the refugium is to export nutrients than ideally you would throw away the algae, if you do put it back into the aquarium and it’s either eaten or it breaks down the nutrients do return to the water, whether you feed your fish, other food or not really doesn’t change that fact.

 

[SaltyWalty]

I’ve always kept macros in my system. Not just for nutrient export but also just for the look of it! It’s so different from corals and have a very unique beauty. Works well for nutrient export however I just feed it back to my tangs.

 

[BryanM]

Could I Please get explained how an in Display or using a sump to keep and grow Cheato or Macro algae is beneficial? doesn't the waste just create more issues? How do you spell Cheato for iuhytf sakes

I don't have a refugium, but I do have an algae turf scrubber which is basically a fuge on steroids.

Its use, as noted, is nitrate and phosphate export, doubles as a better place for algae to grow so you often see less algae in the DT, and for some lucky folks, tangs love to eat the turf algae it grows. Mine don't, so I toss the turf algae.

 

[Enchanted Reefs]

I would keep macro algae in my display in one of these boxes a couple years ago
https://amzn.to/4lSXwAj

 

[Freenow54]

I have no history with Macro algae. However I posted about a HOB small refugium that I put cheato in. It had its own light and pump which would circulate the water. My tank a 40 was totally full of mushrooms which I have also posted in the past. I watched the growth and it was great however the shall we say waste that it removed built up in the thing like a skimmer will. \when it got to a point the pump was able to stir it up and start dumping it back into the Aquarium. My corals all but disappeared until my foolish mistake came to my mind. I saved the tank but that is why I ask , If you have an in tank system why doesn't the waste screw the system up? Or is it eventually taken out by a different filter system therefore what is the benefit? Is macro algae the same type of thing?

 

[Freenow54]

I don't have a refugium, but I do have an algae turf scrubber which is basically a fuge on steroids.

Its use, as noted, is nitrate and phosphate export, doubles as a better place for algae to grow so you often see less algae in the DT, and for some lucky folks, tangs love to eat the turf algae it grows. Mine don't, so I toss the turf algae.

I have yet to watch the BRS video I stopped at the in tank lead in. It sounds like your idea better suites me. However wondering if a UV light solves the issue as well

 

[BryanM]

I have yet to watch the BRS video I stopped at the in tank lead in. It sounds like your idea better suites me. However wondering if a UV light solves the issue as well

What problem are you trying to solve exactly?

 

[Freenow54]

What problem are you trying to solve exactly?

I am not trying to stop any problem. I am starting a new tank, and advice to me amongst some great ones from the same person that I have my doubts about was that. I only know what almost happened to me. Entire tank crash. Which is why I always harp about doing one thing at a time. If that one thing causes an issue its easy to pinpoint. So yes trying to get a broader understanding of benefits of cheato, and if macro algae is the same or not

 

[X-37B]

Macro algae is macro algae does not matter the type.
The algae removes nutrients and you remove the algae from your system. That's a means of export for the system.