Refugium question

dave00gt · 06-24-2006, 06:47 PM

i looked at my HOB refugium housing chaeto and some grape caulerpa and i noticed ther is a milky oily residue blanket, making it no visible to see all the way down the refugium.. it looks kinda and oily blanket..

what is going on?

One more question, Is it bad to just hook up a a fully stocked refugium to a tank?

thanks

Steven Pro · 06-24-2006, 08:31 PM

I would need to see a picture and even then it would be just a guess. It could be some sort of algae, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellate, oils/organics, or something else entirely. Although, I doubt siphoning it out would hurt anything.

dave00gt · 06-26-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Pro

I would need to see a picture and even then it would be just a guess. It could be some sort of algae, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellate, oils/organics, or something else entirely. Although, I doubt siphoning it out would hurt anything.

i forgot to take a picture, but i am going to soon.

im leaning torwards oils-organics.

does it seem i need a skimmer

dave00gt · 06-27-2006, 11:23 AM

Here are the pics, kinda filmy like

Steven Pro · 06-27-2006, 07:51 PM

It looks like it could be a combination of oils, organics, and dust. I know some people wick this off with a clean, no-dye paper towel (the cheaper, the better).

dave00gt · 06-30-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Pro

It looks like it could be a combination of oils, organics, and dust. I know some people wick this off with a clean, no-dye paper towel (the cheaper, the better).

thanks

**leebca** · 07-06-2006, 08:58 PM

Dave,

Just noticed this older post. Your refugium looks familiar.

If the 'scum' I notice in the upper right corner persists along with the oily surface, it is mostly like lipids and fatty acids loose in the system. The scum, like Steven mentioned is a combo of cyanobacteria and filimentous algaes. These grow and the oily surface gathers as things die off (in the refugium as well as the entire system, if it is connected to one). You not only need a skimmer for this, but you need to let things 'age' (meaning you need to let things go ahead and die off and the system settles down -- matures).

One of the skimmer's best uses is in removing fatty acids, and proteins associated with lipids.

There's no problem attaching an old refugium to a new tank system that I am aware of.

06-24-2006, 06:47 PM	#1
dave00gt Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 233	Refugium question i looked at my HOB refugium housing chaeto and some grape caulerpa and i noticed ther is a milky oily residue blanket, making it no visible to see all the way down the refugium.. it looks kinda and oily blanket.. what is going on? One more question, Is it bad to just hook up a a fully stocked refugium to a tank? thanks

06-27-2006, 11:23 AM	#4
dave00gt Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 233	Pics Here are the pics, kinda filmy like Attached Thumbnails

07-06-2006, 08:58 PM	#7
leebca Moderator - LEE Join Date: May 2006 Location: So CA Posts: 2,283	Dave, Just noticed this older post. Your refugium looks familiar. If the 'scum' I notice in the upper right corner persists along with the oily surface, it is mostly like lipids and fatty acids loose in the system. The scum, like Steven mentioned is a combo of cyanobacteria and filimentous algaes. These grow and the oily surface gathers as things die off (in the refugium as well as the entire system, if it is connected to one). You not only need a skimmer for this, but you need to let things 'age' (meaning you need to let things go ahead and die off and the system settles down -- matures). One of the skimmer's best uses is in removing fatty acids, and proteins associated with lipids. There's no problem attaching an old refugium to a new tank system that I am aware of. __________________ LEE Post your fish care and health questions on the Reefland MARINE FISH: CARE, HEALTH AND DISEASE TREATMENT Forum.

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06-24-2006, 08:31 PM	#2
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	I would need to see a picture and even then it would be just a guess. It could be some sort of algae, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellate, oils/organics, or something else entirely. Although, I doubt siphoning it out would hurt anything.

06-27-2006, 07:51 PM	#5
Steven Pro Mayor Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 672	It looks like it could be a combination of oils, organics, and dust. I know some people wick this off with a clean, no-dye paper towel (the cheaper, the better).

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