Question for successful macro algae growers

[gurumasta]

I cannot grow macro algae and never have been able to. I have 0 phosphates but I do have around 7 mg/L Nitrates. I have a small amount of hair algae growing in my frag tank where there is no cleanup crew so I feel like my chaeto should be growing.

I have an LED grow light that I bought off of amazon and I wonder if this is part of my problem. Its similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/132Leds-Spec...542560355&sr=1-24&keywords=led+grow+light+130

Is that light junk? What do you guys recommend for an upgrade on lighting on any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Chris A.]

I would say add another meal of pellets/flakes per day to the tank. They’re higher in phosphate than nitrate. Option 2 is dose phosphate to the tank. Should also add a regimen of iron to see if it helps out.

 

[Zirky]

I had trouble at first then I started dosing iron, now I harvest two to three gallons twice a month. Plus I have control over evening ph by adjusting fuge light intensity.

 

[gurumasta]

Just added iron to one of the carts I have going with a couple vendors right now lol.

Black Friday sale gotta grab what I can..

Thanks for info!

 

[Terry Martin]

Let us know the results. I might want to do the same.

 

[mrcote1]

I bought a special LED grow light off amazon as well and my cheato would not grow at all. Then I just threw in a cheap 5000k daylight led bulb from home depot and the growth was explosive. It has grown substantially in under a weeks time.

I did a bunch of reading and this seemed to be the conclusion of many other people as well. It doesnt hurt to try at least

 

[dz6t]

Which special grow light did you buy off Amazon?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Joe Rice]

I've been getting good growth of grape caulerpa with this 22 watt (2680 lumen!) soft white LED bulb.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y3YVS3K/

But in attempt to get even better growth I ordered this Zetlite refugium light yesterday:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/e200s-macroalgae-cultivation-led-light-zetlight.html

It's only 20 watts and 1800 lumens but I'm hopeful that having a more efficient spectrum will more than compensate.

 

[gurumasta]

Thanks for input!

I will try out dosing iron and post my results. If I don’t have luck with that I will switch to a different light as well.

Thanks again!

 

[Zirky]

That zetlight looks pretty sensable please let us know how it works out