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Post by ReefJunkie on Nov 17, 2013 13:34:10 GMT -5
For those of you who use sumps/refugiums...
How often are you trimming back your macro? I have a type of algae that is long green spaghetti like strands with clusters of little green bubbles. Picked it up from Denis when I first set up my system.
And if I cut it back a decent amount, will this affect my pod level at all?
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Post by Lance on Nov 17, 2013 15:36:43 GMT -5
I'm guessing Caulerpa racemosa or Caulerpa lentillifera. I'm not a big fan of Caulerpa in refugiums (or anywhere else). It's prone to melting down which means the double whammy of loss of a significant nutrient sump/filtration element plus a new source of nutrients/pollution as it rots rapidly.
I much prefer Chaetomorpha sp ("Chaeto") as it is much more durable and I have never seen it crash unless something is horribly wrong.
In any case, once the refugium has reached the density of algae you like, I would harvest weekly, trying to remove a weeks worth of growth. Start with a small amount...1/20th or so, then increase the harvest weekly as long as the growth can sustain it.
Re: your pods...it could have some effect. One way to minimize this is to vigorously shake the harvest algae out in tank water, then return the tank water to the refugium.
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Post by ReefJunkie on Nov 17, 2013 16:40:18 GMT -5
Is there a rule of thumb on the amount to leave in? Or just if it's removing the nitrates sufficiently then I have the right amount??? Haha.
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Post by Lance on Nov 17, 2013 18:40:50 GMT -5
Removing NO3 is just part of the point of growing macroalgaes in a refugium. Harvesting, i.e. removing new growth from the tank and throwing it away, permanently exports nutrients like phosphate from the system. If you are not harvesting you are only getting some of the benefit.
Re: rule of thumb to leave in, I thought I covered that with this:
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Post by ReefJunkie on Nov 18, 2013 0:00:15 GMT -5
You covered it. However it seemed open to interpretation by saying the density you like... That's where my curiosity was directed. I shall harvest away. Thanks Lance  |
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