Refugium or RO water?

wperrette · 01-04-2002, 08:47 PM

Hi,

I have a 150g tank with about 135 lbs of live rock. The tank was up and running for about a year with no problems. I have coralline growing nicely and all fish and inverts are happy. My problems began when I added VHO lighting with the intention of adding some shrooms and Polyps. Shortly after adding the lights, hair algae began to pop up. I thought it was just a transition phase. Well it’s been 6 months and I am still harvesting this stuff... My question is, would I benefit more from using RO water (which I didn’t use for the first year the tank was set up with no hair algae) or a refugium with macro algae? -- Actually, If you have any other ideas that would be great too.

I have tried different types of critters; emerald crabs actually avoided the hair algae and ate my light bluish coralline

alf3482 · 01-04-2002, 09:10 PM

Ro/ Di water will help. What are posphate levels like? the use of Ro/Di water will is just one part of the fix not a cure all. I would suspect high Phophate levles. If your useing tap water then you run the risk of added phosphates. A Refugium will also help in the export of nutrients. Do you run a skimmer? The lighting just help fuel the growth.

wperrette · 01-04-2002, 09:24 PM

To be honest, I have no idea what the phosphate levels are. I don’t have a test for that. I do run a berlin classic skimmer with a mag5 pump, it produces lots of gunk.

I would prefer to go with the Refugium over the RO/Di due to cost, but if it will not be effective I don’t want to waste my time with it....

**scubadude** · 01-05-2002, 12:45 AM

Well to help get rid of the source of the hair algae I believe both of your assumptions would help RO water (and better yet RO/DI water) and a refugium. You could also add a lawnmower blenny to your tank, as they love eating hair algae. I was running the same skimmer and pump on my 90gal and it seem to barely keep up with the skimming, so you could consider upgrading the skimmer too, or just the pump....I have actually ran a Mag 9.5 on the Berlin classic and it skimmed even better then the Mag 5

I think you could slowly try one of the above options at a time till the problem is fixed....I personally would try the Lawnmower blenny first! HTH

wperrette · 01-05-2002, 01:21 AM

I have a (big fat) Lawnmower, he does a great job but not enough...I guess I will try to grow some macro algae in a refugium tank first.

Thanks

alf3482 · 01-05-2002, 10:30 AM

If you are using Tap water then you will only continue to add more phospates. This will fuel the hair algea.
I think scubadude is saying the sme thimg i am. each are a part in helping the problem and both are a good idea. the use of ro water is one of the best things you can do for your tank.JMO

01-04-2002, 08:47 PM	#1
wperrette Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NJ Posts: 36	Refugium or RO water? Hi, I have a 150g tank with about 135 lbs of live rock. The tank was up and running for about a year with no problems. I have coralline growing nicely and all fish and inverts are happy. My problems began when I added VHO lighting with the intention of adding some shrooms and Polyps. Shortly after adding the lights, hair algae began to pop up. I thought it was just a transition phase. Well it’s been 6 months and I am still harvesting this stuff... My question is, would I benefit more from using RO water (which I didn’t use for the first year the tank was set up with no hair algae) or a refugium with macro algae? -- Actually, If you have any other ideas that would be great too. I have tried different types of critters; emerald crabs actually avoided the hair algae and ate my light bluish coralline __________________ Bill

01-04-2002, 09:10 PM	#2
alf3482 Council Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Venus Texas Posts: 251	Ro/ Di water will help. What are posphate levels like? the use of Ro/Di water will is just one part of the fix not a cure all. I would suspect high Phophate levles. If your useing tap water then you run the risk of added phosphates. A Refugium will also help in the export of nutrients. Do you run a skimmer? The lighting just help fuel the growth. __________________ Robert L. Brady See My Tanks through the links below: 125 Gal 120 Gal 55 gal 20 Gal SeaHorse Tank If you get a chance come check out at the RAG

01-04-2002, 09:24 PM	#3
wperrette Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NJ Posts: 36	To be honest, I have no idea what the phosphate levels are. I don’t have a test for that. I do run a berlin classic skimmer with a mag5 pump, it produces lots of gunk. I would prefer to go with the Refugium over the RO/Di due to cost, but if it will not be effective I don’t want to waste my time with it.... __________________ Bill

01-05-2002, 12:45 AM	#4
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Hi Wperette! Welcome to RL Well to help get rid of the source of the hair algae I believe both of your assumptions would help RO water (and better yet RO/DI water) and a refugium. You could also add a lawnmower blenny to your tank, as they love eating hair algae. I was running the same skimmer and pump on my 90gal and it seem to barely keep up with the skimming, so you could consider upgrading the skimmer too, or just the pump....I have actually ran a Mag 9.5 on the Berlin classic and it skimmed even better then the Mag 5 I think you could slowly try one of the above options at a time till the problem is fixed....I personally would try the Lawnmower blenny first! HTH __________________ Rocky

01-05-2002, 01:21 AM	#5
wperrette Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NJ Posts: 36	I have a (big fat) Lawnmower, he does a great job but not enough...I guess I will try to grow some macro algae in a refugium tank first. Thanks __________________ Bill

01-05-2002, 10:30 AM	#6
alf3482 Council Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Venus Texas Posts: 251	If you are using Tap water then you will only continue to add more phospates. This will fuel the hair algea. I think scubadude is saying the sme thimg i am. each are a part in helping the problem and both are a good idea. the use of ro water is one of the best things you can do for your tank.JMO __________________ Robert L. Brady See My Tanks through the links below: 125 Gal 120 Gal 55 gal 20 Gal SeaHorse Tank If you get a chance come check out at the RAG

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