Looking to ID Algae in Sump

[Myka]

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Myka

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

Thanks for bringing this up Mindy! I have saw many of these reactor setups for sale online in packages and DIY projects. My thought was it would be good to have the chaeto contained (preventing from getting in filters and taking up less room in the sump). I guess my question is will the chaeto just grow until it hits the capacity of the container? Is it better to keep it contained for more direct light?

I went downstairs this morning after my night shift. My chaeto ball was tumbling away in the first chamber of my sump. Upon looking closer I saw that some of the stragglers made it over the baffle and in to my prefilter. Not a huge deal, that being said is this going to thin the chaeto to non existence over the next while. I want this little ball to replace my need (or provide a good complement) to carbon dosing so I don’t have to worry about chaeto. Also in my new system I want to learn from my mistakes in this 150g and not have to change total methods.

Let me know your thoughts Mindy as you have a lot more experience and exposure to different chaeto setups. I have no issues doing a DIY reactor for the chaeto of this will be effective.

[CHEAPREEF]

Originally Posted by Myka

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

Would def watch out running one of these, the LED's wrapped around acrylic have been known to cause stress cracks and eventually fractures. The don't generate a lot of heat but when it's pressed directly onto the surface like that it is focused enough to be a issue.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by CHEAPREEF

Would def watch out running one of these, the LED's wrapped around acrylic have been known to cause stress cracks and eventually fractures. The don't generate a lot of heat but when it's pressed directly onto the surface like that it is focused enough to be a issue.

Interesting...haven't had any troubles with that using different reactors and lights.

[DKoKoMan]

Hmm... is this maybe a one off or a consistent pattern with age. I see many online vendors using the AquaMaxx reactor with the led strips wrapping it. The Pax Bellum is way out of budget for me on an algae reactor. I have been considering one of these algae reactors but value what other have to say.

[CHEAPREEF]

So it's been 2 weeks and no return of the white slime or the buildup in the pipes. I can't be 100% what it was yet but I am leaning towards a build up of VOC's in the water.
I am going to start adding stuff I stopped doing slowly every 4-5 days see if anything triggers a return, other than the AA's and Bacteria I no longer feel the need to dose those as the tank has been perfectly fine without either.

[DKoKoMan]

Well that’s great! I stopped with the NOPOX and the slime faded. Unfortunately with only chaeto my nutrients were climbing out of range. I started dosing straight vinegar as my carbon source at 15ml. I will monitor and see if the slime returns with solely vinegar.