How soon before I need Macro Algae ?

[islandreef]

Ok guys I have a 135

About 160lbs of Live Rock
120 lbs Mixture of Live Sand/Dead Sand

Salinity 1.023
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0

These readings have been doubled check by jenn and by optimum aquariums in kennesaw.

I currently have 4 blue chromis in there right now.

Lighting - fixture with 2 VHO 110 Watts 2 250 Watt MH.

Currently VHO's (bulbs super actinic) currently run from 9 am to 10 pm, MH comes on at 4 and runs until 9:30. Also have a set of moonlights that are on 24x7 will probably change that down the line.

Sump/Refugium is a 55 gallon with about almost the entire middle part made a refugium with about 3 inches of live sand and about 20 Lbs of Live Rock. I want to start increasing my Pods but want to make sure I take things slow. How soon before I would add macro algae? Was planning on getting some Cado - Tang Green/Red/Yellow from IPSF, since I will probably keep 3 tangs in there, will be a good source of food for them. I have a Home Depot Shop light in there thats not on that much. Any advice would be helpful, so far things are looking great.

Going through my diatom bloom right now, clean up crew is taking care of that.

Thanks.

 

[wbrown]

same day ya put water in it.
Anytime is good, there is no advantage or disadvantage to waiting.

 

[islandreef]

wbrown;717936 wrote: same day ya put water in it.
Anytime is good, there is no advantage or disadvantage to waiting.

Thanks I thought if you had nothing to feed it it would die off. Also how long should I run my lights? I was planning on running it in reverse to the main tank lights.

 

[wbrown]

you have fish, they will poop eventually and this will feed nitrites to the Macro.
Reverse is best if you have enough light to keep pH stable, I personally run my refugium 24/7.
You do NOT want a high dollar light or bulb on your refugium, 3500K is about right.

 

[islandreef]

wbrown;717939 wrote: you have fish, they will poop eventually and this will feed nitrites to the Macro.
Reverse is best if you have enough light to keep pH stable, I personally run my refugium 24/7.
You do NOT want a high dollar light or bulb on your refugium, 3500K is about right.

Just found my sheet from Jenn.

PH - 8.1
Alkalinity 3 kinda low but not much corals at this time.
Phosphates - 0 Yea for my phosphate Reactor

I guess I can run refugium light 24/7 as well ...