Is it worth it?

[SaltwaterTeen]

Im thinking about getting the CPR aquafuge HOT refugium and grow chaeto and pods in it. Will this help lower my nitrates and stuff, and is it worth getting? How do you breed the pods and how do you get the macro to grow? I also read on other forums you need to add iron, would you need a test for that I also heard that theres this caribsea miracle mud for fuge and has all the trace elements and Iron for the macro to grow.

 

[mfinn]

At first I would not add iron. Wait until the macro doesn't seem to do well.
You do not need to get the mud mix. It is expensive and I'm sure someone has a glowing report for it, but it is not needed for a refugium. I threw a little live sand in mine.
There are alot of people around that have cheato. I see for sale threads on the boards all the time.
I would be willing to donate a little, if you can't find some closer to your place.
HTH

 

[SaltwaterTeen]

Whats with the iron then? Do you need tests for it?

 

[mfinn]

I wouldn't put anything in your tank that you don't test for.
If you have hair algae or any other algae in your tank, then you do not need to add a fertilizer for the macro.

 

[SaltwaterTeen]

Fertilizer? The iron is the fertilizer?

 

[mfinn]

Pretty much. It's fertilizer for macroalgae.

 

[SaltwaterTeen]

How do I acclimate pods anyways?

 

[mfinn]

Don't think you need to. Just get some macroalgae from a store or another reefer and they will probally be in the macro and just place it in the refugium and let them do their thing.

 

[SaltwaterTeen]

Sweet! Ill add some of my little chunks of lr in there. Can I put mini stars in there? I dont know if my black sand is "Live" I have had it for a year and some months, how long does it take for sand to get "Live" or I just might ask if they will put in some livesand for free

 

[wrightme43]

Take a look at your sand with a magnifiying glass. If you see worms, tiny little shrimp looking things and stuff crawling around it is most definately alive. LOL. If you put chunks of LR and LS in it pods will come all by themselves. They love to have a place away from hungry mouths. LOL. HTH Steve

 

[SaltwaterTeen]

Do you got a fuge steve?

 

[wrightme43]

Thats a negitive ghost rider. LOL, I want one and have watched them in operation, I just havent figured out how to put one on my tank yet. I need to throw more furniture in the yard and knock a hole through my closet to the living room so I can hook up more stuff. LOL. I would like to have a cpr refuguim, but I think I could make one cheaper. On my next tank I am going to build a crazy huge stand, I have no room left in mine. LOL. Hope you have a good night. Steve

 

[bigdave]

Try checking at you local fish store for a Refugium/sump IAP makes three different ones at good price. They come with a Power Compact light and you can get a skimmer built in if you need one If you are around Tacoma In Door Reef can get you one. They work great I have Two of them on my tanks no extra pumps needed.