Reef restoration project - setup to cultivate nuisance algae?

[TetrisPetris]

Hi reefers!

I'm an engineer and former (probably soon to be current) reef aquarist working on a project with a nonprofit to investigate the potential for automation in coral propagation to help restore reefs. One hypothesis we are investigating is whether frag plug algae removal could be automated in raceways.

I don't currently have a tank, and I'm trying to figure out how to get a bunch of algae-overgrown frag plugs (hair algae / bryopsis, bubble algae / valonia ventricosa, etc.). I am contemplating putting together a few setups to cultivate this so that we can test different methods for removal.

Could someone comment on a good overall strategy and simple setup to achieve plugs overgrown with the typical nuisance algae battled by shops and growers?
I'm imagining a 10 gallon tank with some artificial light (and maybe proximity to southern window) with a heater & powerhead might be sufficient. However I'm not sure of the ideal lighting levels, nutrient / phosphate levels, etc.

Although I was a prolific forum & book reader when I was involved in the hobby, I haven't owned a tank in a long time and my practical husbandry knowledge is a bit rusty / out of date / nonexistent...

Thanks very much!
Peter

P.S. If you'd rather chat than type I'd be happy to! Just PM me and we can find a time

P.P.S. If you're curious about reef restoration, it's getting to be a pretty exciting and important topic!

 

[Srt4eric]

I've got plenty of bryopsis for you....

 

[Blaise006]

Happy to find some time to discuss this over the weekend with you. If you have some slots in mind, send a couple of them my way over PM.

 

[rygh]

First, I don't think you will have a problem growing algae.
Even in the best aquariums, if you remove herbivores that eat algae, it shows up.

* Wait out the diatom phase.
That initial brown gunk is probably something to ignore.

* Add more red spectrum to the light.
Algae seems to compete better with coral in the red spectrum.
Using sunlight as you mention is great.

* Make sure algae has a place to start growing.
Either make sure the frag is not completely encrusted with coral, or even add
small bits of live rock next to it.

* Moderate flow
Algae seems to have some issues with higher flow rates.

* Excess nitrate.
Say 50.
I would NOT crank up phosphates, since that tends to trigger Cyano, which you may not want to deal with.

 

[rygh]

Question:
Do you want algae overgrown frags that already have coral growing on them?
Or do you just want an empty frag plug with algae growing on it? No coral.

If the latter, I am sure many people could toss frag plugs in their fuge and grow them endlessly for you.