Red Macro Algae

[guidedbyechoes]

Hello folks,

I started cycling some rock I wanted to use for a sump I added 4 kinds of algae.

Feathered Calurpa, Dragon's Breath, Red Razor Marine Macro Algae, and
Blue Hypnea Pannosa.

Only the Red algae survived the cycle. I'm guessing the other two died due to lack of nitrates.

What can I do to keep these algaes in tip top shape?

 

[James M]

Are you providing light ?

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Yes using a black box fixture. The tank is cycled and it looks like its time to do a major water change. I'm waiting since I'm moving in a couple weeks.

 

[Subsea]

why start a tank cycle, then move in a couple of weeks?

Try reading up on macro at this site.
https://www.marineplantbook.com/

 

[guidedbyechoes]

why start a tank cycle, then move in a couple of weeks?

Try reading up on macro at this site.
https://www.marineplantbook.com/

It's been running a couple months. I wanted to have a sump cycled so I can jump start the DT and have some macro algae ready to eat nitrates.

 

[Subsea]

Bacteria need cycling not algae.

Macro needs nutrients to grow.

I have never had good success with multiple species of macro in a refugium. Some of the options you choose would be excellent display macro algae. I particularly like Halymenia dilatata, Dragons Breath.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Bacteria need cycling not algae.

Macro needs nutrients to grow.

I have never had good success with multiple species of macro in a refugium. Some of the options you choose would be excellent display macro algae. I particularly like Halymenia dilatata, Dragons Breath.

I have been ghost feeding so its had both.

 

[Subsea]

Explain ghost feeding?

 

[Subsea]

In general, macro nutrients of carbon/nitrogen/phosphorous combine in the ratio of 560/30/1. Macro, like coral zooanthelia, gets its carbon from bicarbonate alkalinity which is formed when carbon dioxide combines with water. The nitrogen/phosphorus ratio can vary from 100:1 down to 10:1.

Before I ramble on about what I know, tell me what you know. It will help the conversation.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Explain ghost feeding?

You just throw in little bits of food. That breaks down and keeps nitrates in the tank to keep the bacteria fed. I've done a water change since to replenish nutrients. I'm not testing any levels besides ammonia,nitrite and nitrate. I'm using red sea black salt at this time.

 

[Subsea]

You just throw in little bits of food. That breaks down and keeps nitrates in the tank to keep the bacteria fed. I've done a water change since to replenish nutrients. I'm not testing any levels besides ammonia,nitrite and nitrate. I'm using red sea black salt at this time.

Sounds like a good plan. Are you interested in micro fana & fana in substrate to produce live food larvae for filter feeders, which includes coral? You could keep it as simple as snails & pods.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Sounds like a good plan. Are you interested in micro fana & fana in substrate to produce live food larvae for filter feeders, which includes coral? You could keep it as simple as snails & pods.

Yes. I plan on adding that after I move. It's currently bare bottom. So it's easy to clean and move.

 

[Subsea]

Yes. I plan on adding that after I move. It's currently bare bottom. So it's easy to clean and move.

Why not include that in your refugium/sump?

PS: when you said it was bare bottomed, I thought you were talking about your display tank. Did you actually mean that your sump tank was bare bottomed? If your display is also bare bottomed, what is your biofiltration & what type of reef are you planning on maintaining.?

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Why not include that in your refugium/sump?

PS: when you said it was bare bottomed, I thought you were talking about your display tank. Did you actually mean that your sump tank was bare bottomed? If your display is also bare bottomed, what is your biofiltration & what type of reef are you planning on maintaining.?

It's basically just a 10 gallon tank with some rock and macro algae with a HOB, heater and small powerhead. It was base rock that is now live. I wanted to keep it small as possible so it's easy to move. It's contents will end up going into a 40 gallon breeder for a 90 gallon tank.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

It's basically just a 10 gallon tank with some rock and macro algae with a HOB, heater and small powerhead. It was base rock that is now live. I wanted to keep it small as possible so it's easy to move. It's contents will end up going into a 40 gallon breeder for a 90 gallon tank.

Macroalgae tends to do better with organic nutrients in the water instead of just fish food. If you can add a couple fish to the 10 gallon tank, the macroalgae will do much better.

A couple of questions to help me better answer your questions

• How intense of lighting are you using?
• What spectrum is the black box?
  
• How long are the lights on for?
  
• What are your nitrates and phosphates?
• What is the temperature?
• What is the pH?