Refugium education.

[DonW]

I'm looking for advice on wether or not to install a refugium. My understanding is that there is a level of risk involved. Do the benefits outway the possible risks? Is 20g enough for 100g? What lighting for good growth? What type of macro's are safe?

Thanks
Don

 

[Macbeth417]

Hey Don, there is some interesting info in Anothy and Bob's new book on this topic. They list a myriad of prospective macros and the individual growth rates and risk of each. If want to borrow my copy you are welcome to it.

Just as a personal note I use cheatomorpha and a 55watt PC light. I don't like the risk of caulerpa going sexual and don’t want to bother with 24/7 lighting or pulling whole fronds carefully instead of just pruning and chunk of cheato due to culerpa not having individual cell walls.

Anyhoot, I would like to hear what others have to say on this topic and if you want to borrow the book, just fire me a PM and I'll meet you in kent or bring it to a meeting.

-Erik

 

[NaH2O]

Hey Don - great questions. IMO, when thinking about refugiums, it is important to know what you are looking to gain, as this will determine what to keep. Help: removing nutrients?; added water volume?; pod propagation?; etc. I really like this thread - I hope it helps, if you haven't read it before: Basic Refugium Maintenance Question

 

[DonW]

Nikki,
Thanks for the info. Honestly I have no Idea what the true advantages are. I know alot depends on the size, flow and whats in it. I like Erics idea of using cheato. I already have AGA 20 drilled with two bukheads in the bottom. It was going to be a frag tank but I dont want to buy another MH. Seeing such drastic improvement after removing the 5 micron sock, I started wondering if more is better.

Don

 

[aquariumdebacle]

Upstream/downstream refugium

I have both upstream/downstream benefits in my design. I have the overflow to a tube that airlifts the water to a 8"x8"x48" refugium above the tank. This then flows to the main 120g display. The benefits of airlift vs. impeller are not as great as I thought. The benefits of an upstream refugium feeding a tank are not nearly what I had hoped. Animals tend to survive impellers on that scale as they are moving through molasses like material. Once they get to the refugium they tend to stay there and not go into the water column to be flushed into the main display.

 

[Katchupoy]

Erik. Do you have a picture of a chaetomorpha.?

 

[Macbeth417]

I am not certain of the exact spp. But it is just a thin tubular macro growing in a mat, like a large green brillow-pad. It's great for pod housing.

 

[Angelscrx]

I hear this brillo pad macro is the best out there. I can't seem to get it to grow though. I have the cualerpa (grape and razor) and halemida. Mine is mainly for filtration purposes but I am getting lots of pods in there. I might try and scoop some out and drop nto the main tank.

 

[MzWeazelle]

Okay, I'll jump in here, even if I'm wrong!

I gotta agree with Nikki - what you do depends on what you want. I started out with Miracle Mud and caluerpa in my refugium, but I couldn't get the darn stuff to grow well, so finally I yanked the plants and just have some live rock in there so the pods have something to crawl on. However, I think I have a LOT more pods and mysis living and breeding like rabbits in my overflows! In order to cut down on the noise my overflows are set up to be almost full, and pods love them. So, even though it's not their primary purpose, the overflows are essentially acting as one form of refugium.

By the way - a lot of people seem to dislike the fuzzy red algae, but pods and mysis love to live in it!

 

[CarlaW]

Don,
I think the 20 gallon would be a good size, but if you've got room, I would think the bigger the better. I've got chaeto and caulerpa in my fuge. My caulerpa has gone sexual 2 times, but I was lucky and caught it pretty quick.
I think the benefits outweigh the risks. I also have a ton of pods. I even have some pulsing xenia in there too just for looks. You'll end up watching your fuge about as much as watch your display

 

[maffu]

I have not long set up my fuge.... and its addictive viewing!!! the first pod sighting... the first snail that has somehow appeared from nowhere.... I discovered a majano nem in there that was beautifull ( but carefully removed). Now when ever I look in its a fight to focus my eyes with so many mini critters whizzing around!
M

 

[Angelscrx]

Welcome Maffu to Reef Frontiers. Good to see you on board.