Freshwater Algae Refugium

RyanScanner

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Has anyone set up a freshwater refugium, they are very popular in the reef space but I would think they would work just as well in freshwater. What types of macro algae could I seed? 24hour lighting. Was thinking about it for a future ray tank.
 
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RyanScanner

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I was also considering it for my planted 300g as a way to counter the PH swings from the CO2 injection by having it on the opposite timing, keeping my system consistent. Also completely removing all excess nutrients from my potential algae even at night.
 

tlindsey

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Has anyone set up a freshwater refugium, they are very popular in the reef space but I would think they would work just as well in freshwater. What types of macro algae could I seed? 24hour lighting. Was thinking about it for a future ray tank.
Has anyone set up a freshwater refugium
duanes duanes
 

RyanScanner

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I know duanes duanes has plant refugiums and they are great I was wondering if it can be done with macro algae on 24/7 or if on a planted tank using a counter timed one to avoid PH swings?
 

RyanScanner

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So I should just try standard plant refugium cell in my sump just before the pump. I’m considering a new 500g set up sometime in the next few years with a refugium instead of in the main tank. Probably just use vals then since they vacuum up so much and grow so quickly or wisteria and Stuckenia.
 

phreeflow

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I know duanes duanes has plant refugiums and they are great I was wondering if it can be done with macro algae on 24/7 or if on a planted tank using a counter timed one to avoid PH swings?
Macro algae is used in reef tanks. For freshwater, you’d probably have the best luck using fast growing stem plants. Better yet, floaters or bog plants that’ll grow above water would probably export nutrients more rapidly since they have access to atmospheric co2.
 

duanes

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In places where I've lived, I been lucky to never have pH swings, probably because the tap water has been so hard (calcium rich).
Even when I tried to experiment with using leaf litter to lower it on purpose, in combination with lots of drift wood, pH wouldn't budge from an average of 8.2.
Experiment w Almond Leaves
I normally have 2 or 3, six ft logs in the tank.
IMG_8966.jpeg
And tannins consentrate seasonally with rains, so much so, its sometimes difficult to see the fish, yet pH barely drops a tenth.
IMG_7401.jpeg
 
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