Macroalgae in our Reef Tanks! Natural Filtration and Aesthetics!

[@jjdawg9918]

Would love to see more on the desktop macro-algae tank! especially on how/what to fertilize without creating a micro-algae/diatom bomb

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Another vote to see the desk tank! Might just have to be a series here soon… TSA desk tanks.. stay tuned! -Blaine

[@jaylynn8630]

Holy cow, I think that's the most legit refugium I've ever seen! Maybe it's the size of the space, but I've never seen huge clumps of macro algae just tumbling around each other like that.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

It can happen in your system at home! Obviously we do it on a little larger scale, but it can happen in yours! Appreciate you tuning in! -Blaine

[@lucidairity7927]

YESSSSS FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!!❤❤❤❤ the natural ecosystems cleaning methods are what make my gears spin from the bacteria to the way they colonized inside of sponges and in the insides of tunicates to the more complex copepods and invertebrates that thrive in macro algae to the large clams themselves in obsessed!!!!!😅😅❤❤

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed this one so much, had a lot of fun filming this one out! Look forward to seeing you in the comment section in the future! -Blaine

[@lucidairity7927]

@@TopShelfAquatics ❤️❤️ always here for every upload love the store and people that run it!

[@lucidairity7927]

I think a video on symbiotic relationshis in the hobby would be HUGE I absolutely freaking adored the vids you made on the red limas and the lagoon tank for example porcelain crabs so much of the same job for anemones but still different than the clownfish and the goby pistol shrimp! Just some examples of awesome things we have in our beautiful world@@TopShelfAquatics

[@cookiescards4937]

We definelty need a vid on the desk tank Blaine it’d be dope!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Second to ask! If I get a couple more I just might do it! Thanks for the love and support!! -Blaine

[@MrTeddycozmik]

Great video!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks for dropping a comment! -Blaine

[@scottallan6770]

I'd love a vid on your desk tank!!!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

The first to ask! I love my desk tank to be honest, a little different flavor of reefing! -Blaine

[@scottallan6770]

@@TopShelfAquatics Do you still have your lobster lair tank? Sure seems like one would go well in that desk setup ;) 👊🦞🙏

[@CoralMan24]

Could you explain how you setup your Fuge to tumble your macroalgae please would love to build mine like yours when I get some macro's from you guys :)

[@TopShelfAquatics]

You’re another person asking for this and I’ll for sure put it on my to do list! Thanks for dropping a comment and tuning in! -Blaine

[@williamhites6759]

This was a great high-level summary if macros. Beautiful visuals are always compelling. Perhaps a part II with nutrient uptake measurements in your systems including PH impact between like systems with or without the macros? What are you adding for micro nutrient support - if anything?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Thanks so much for the kind words! Maybe there should be a part two... We will have to see! Micro nutrients we are actively adding a ton of live phytoplankton. -Blaine

[@Arborpress]

FYI to anyone who has/wants urchins. They will devour the prettiest most colorful macro algae in the tank.

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Good point! Urchins love to munch on most algaes! -Blaine

[@misschickennug]

Loveeee me some macroalgae

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Hard not to love! -Blaine

[@frankrizzo4701]

Show us how the custom tumble system!! How does it work?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Would be a great video to showcase how our refugiums are set up with the spray bar system! -Blaine

[@mehraprakul]

I second that. Pls show us how to do a tumbling system. Cheers.

[@alexpellman8637]

Hey Blaine. The thing I’m most interested in about top shelf’s refugiums are the scat fish. Do you guys have to train them to eat aiptasia? Also do you guys use silver scats or a different kind? Thanks

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We have a whole video actually talking about the fish in our sump! Check that one out and let me know if that helps, a ton more information about them! -Blaine

[@alexpellman8637]

@@TopShelfAquatics I watched that video when it came out but I don’t think you guys mentioned what kind of scat they are

[@SamiBabyPaul]

Need a video on your microalgae tank

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Another vote for the tank.. I gotta make sure this thing is right LOL -Blaine

[@Coral-reef.]

Hey man i dont have a sump. Can i use a 5 gallon bucket with micro algae, use siphon to get the water in the bucket and a little pump to get it back in the display tank ?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Technically, yes, but you would need to make sure there is light for the algae to grow, and if the water is coming in from the display there should be the needed nutrients for it to grow. An interesting thought, but basically a sump in theory. -Blaine

[@queencityreefs]

🔥👌🙌👏✌️🔥

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Glad you enjoyed! -Blaine

[@vascojardim6703]

My problem with refugiums has always been the amount of maintenance it requires to keep it feom becoming a detritus trap that ends up attacking GHA, cyano, etc

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Maybe try tumbling the algae, and increase the frequency of pruning! Could help out, thanks for tuning in! -Blaine

[@vascojardim6703]

@@TopShelfAquatics thanks! Did that several times. As tine goes by, you always end up having to at least monthly give it a good clean. Try shaking the chaeto ball in a white bucket with clean water. It turns brown

[@ness6765]

Hey Blaine, just curious, do you utilize your mustache as a means of natural filtration?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Not. Bad. I mean, I’d consider it a key part to my reefing success! Thanks for tuning in 😉 -Blaine

[@jordanoliver8]

What can be considered a bright light to use for chaeto?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We feel 5000 Kelvin is a good baseline! Don't be afraid if you see good growth and color to try and juice it up even more! -Blaine

[@cookiescards4937]

Can I keep a Microalgae in my actual tank how will it stay in one spot?!

[@TopShelfAquatics]

You absolutely can! As long as you don’t have herbivores, you can attach it by finding crevices in your rock work and shoving pieces in, you can also tie it to a piece of rubble with fishing line till it attaches! Great question, and thanks for tuning in! -Blaine

[@paulrod53]

Do your lights stay at same intensity throughout day ?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

When it comes to our refugiums, yes, they have a ramp up period but will stay at that intensity for the duration of their photo period. -Blaine

[@michaeleaddy7568]

How do you tumble it please make a video thank you

[@TopShelfAquatics]

In the works! -Blaine

[@jakemorgan4327]

What do you use to tumble it in the sump?

[@AlsFishBarn]

Looks like they have a diy spray bar on the bottom. Look at the bottom right corner. 2:15

[@jakemorgan4327]

@@AlsFishBarn good eye I see it now

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We utilize a spray bar system! Made out of PVC and a separate pump plumbed into our refugium! -Blaine

[@mryes413]

What are the pros and cons on having a macroalgae tank compared to a reef tank?

[@TopShelfAquatics]

Well that list can be quite extensive; I guess the real question is what are you looking for in a reef tank? You can use it as a small aesthetic add on, you can make a macro dominant system, or you could even use it hidden in your sump in a refugium! -Blaine

[@AlsFishBarn]

No ulva??? Aka sea lettuce

[@TopShelfAquatics]

We feel that Ulva can be a bit too invasive, and can grow a bit too rapidly. Also, if it breaks off and gets anywhere in the tank can just take foot and take over a new section of the display. One that herbivores really love though! -Blaine