Refugium Questions/information!

[Factorybacking_05]

Hello all! I recently made a 10 gallon refugium, im going to be stocking it with live sand, and macro algae, also, i've heard about cheato algae benefiting the tank as well. I'm going to be doing the sand on bottom, with the algae on top;

1) What is the best way of doing this, and how much should i buy(Macro/cheato)?

2) How often do i need to cut it? What do i do with the access cut off? Can i grow macro algae and cheato algae in the same chamber of the refugium?

3) Is there any certain kind i should be looking at getting(brand)?

4) Do i need to add any critters to the area of sand and algae to further benefit the tank, what is the best kind of sand to use in the refugium?

5) What Kelvin bulb and wattage will benefit both macro and cheato algae?

6)Do i need to let the macro algae and cheato be inside the refugium for a couple days before i let the whole setup flow?

Any further information is GREATLY appriceated as the tank is going to be set up tomorrow, thanks

 

[EyeReef]

I think Steve is the expert on the fuge..hopefully he can answer all your questions

 

[reefer714]

Hello all! I recently made a 10 gallon refugium, im going to be stocking it with live sand, and macro algae, also, i've heard about cheato algae benefiting the tank as well. I'm going to be doing the sand on bottom, with the algae on top;

1) What is the best way of doing this, and how much should i buy(Macro/cheato)?
Come to see me this weekend, i will give you some chaeto from my tiny fuge
2) How often do i need to cut it? What do i do with the access cut off? Can i grow macro algae and cheato algae in the same chamber of the refugium?
You need to separate them every two weeks. Make sure they all get enough light. Chaeto is your best bet. Caulerpa too rish (go sexual)
3) Is there any certain kind i should be looking at getting(brand)?
???
4) Do i need to add any critters to the area of sand and algae to further benefit the tank, what is the best kind of sand to use in the refugium?
You can add nassarius snail, sand shifting star to keep your sandbed clean
5) What Kelvin bulb and wattage will benefit both macro and cheato algae?
Flood light is all you need 65k bulb 65w from lowes or home depot.
6)Do i need to let the macro algae and cheato be inside the refugium for a couple days before i let the whole setup flow?
Nah, plug and play buddy. They can serve their purpose upon adding to your fuge.

Any further information is GREATLY appriceated as the tank is going to be set up tomorrow, thanks

If your tank is brand new, please hold off on the macro algea for couple weeks just add sand or let it cycle. BTW, i have very good luck with fiji mud. Your macro will go crazy, pod population increased overnight . All you need is a small 12ounced container. If you need further help. Call me 714 254 5671

 

[reefer714]

Pic of my tiny fuge so you have the idea

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Reefer714 is the fuge master, but I'll give it a shot

get a couple of cups of chaeto only, it will grow fast

dont need cut it, just let it grow. Chaeto doesnt go asexual

critter will develop themselves, maybe add some hermit crabs/snails to clean up detritus

Use Lights of America fixtures from costco, I dont remember the k rating but anywhere from 6500 to 10k daylight is fine

No need just let it run, also no real need to have sand, small piles of rubble rock will be more beneficial for critters (pods)

First off, thanks for such quit replies!

I think i forgot to mention it's only a 10 gallon fuge so i do have limited amount of space, as the skimmer will also be in the sump/fuge.

Will the cheato algae ever overgrow the water line? What if TO much grows?

You're saying not to go down the macro algae road correct? Isn't macro algae good for bringing nitrates down? One of the main reasons for setting this fuge up is to stabilize the pH and lower my nitrates, will cheato algae also do this?

Heres a drawing how my fuge will be set up, please keep in mind the actualy fuge area (where the cheato and LR rubble will be) is only 6"x10"x10". Is that enough space?

Thank you!

 

[Factorybacking_05]

If your tank is brand new, please hold off on the macro algea for couple weeks just add sand or let it cycle. BTW, i have very good luck with fiji mud. Your macro will go crazy, pod population increased overnight . All you need is a small 12ounced container. If you need further help. Call me 714 254 5671

Thanks! My tank is not brand new though, only the fuge is going to be. The tank itself has been set up for over a year, just a hang on filter and protein skimmer, is very established, tomorrow i am going to pick up (finally) my new 20 gallon acrylic tank with built in overlfow (display tank) So the fuge is going to be a whole new thing. Someone recommended to me that i should take some of the sand from the main tank and put about 3" into the fuge area. Still not recommend the macro algae?

Please recommend EVERYTHING to me the way i think i should set this up, such as mud instead of sand, or sand instead of mud, what TYPE of algae ect. Thanks, i will be going tomorrow to pick everything up!

BTW, what is that fuge a 1.5 gallon

 

[EyeReef]

i have a dragon face in my 30 gallon fuge good bye pods

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Nice chaeto Drawing!!. chaeto is a macro, and while not the most effective, it is the safest, though i'm sure steve will give you some more ideas of what to put in there!!

Thanks sandman! Yes that part of the drawing nearly took me 3 hours.

 

[reefer714]

I would go with a thick layer of sand(3" is an ideal), a thin layer of Mud approx 12 ounces (1 small container)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=WS1131

Chaeto working very well. They are not as aggressive but work very well. I dropped 50ppm in my 240g system 2 weeks after i add the fuge.

Are you planning to have your protein skimmer sit inside the fuge compartment? Big no no, cuz your pump may suck the chaeto in. Too much flow in the fuge is not good also

 

[Factorybacking_05]

I would go with a thick layer of sand(3" is an ideal), a thin layer of Mud approx 12 ounces (1 small container)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=WS1131

Chaeto working very well. They are not as aggressive but work very well. I dropped 50ppm in my 240g system 2 weeks after i add the fuge.

Are you planning to have your protein skimmer sit inside the fuge compartment? Big no no, cuz your pump may suck the chaeto in. Too much flow in the fuge is not good also

Thank you, so i have the cheato on top of the 3" sand bed and mud, correct? The protein skimmer is going to be in the first chamber, where the water is drained first, is that ok? If you look at the drawing, that'll show you more of an idea.

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Here is a video of my fuge tank when i first finished it, please keep in mind its going to be running the other way around, it'll be draining in from the left and returning on the right (video shows draining to the right and returning left, also, the furthest baffle to the right has been removed, and this video is sped up 8x.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AS6X67cWVM

 

[reefer714]

Looking good. Just get it up and running. i will give you some chaeto for free

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Looking good. Just get it up and running. i will give you some chaeto for free

That would be great, thank you! Another question for you, if you look at the drawing, there is not a baffle after the fuge area itself, is that ok? or will the pods get sent back to the display tank? Im COMPLETELY new to this fuge thing so sorry if these questions are dumb haha.

 

[reefer714]

Pods will find it way to the main display doesn't matter how many baffle you have . I like the design you show on the video, all the baffle look good

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Pods will find it way to the main display doesn't matter how many baffle you have . I like the design you show on the video, all the baffle look good

Thanks, it's actually EDPM weather striping holding those acrylic baffles in place believe it or not, got it from a DIY thread, and let me tell you, it works AWESOME! Those baffles are in there STRONG, and thick so they arent bowing at all, time will tell though. Thanks for the compliment, but still doesn't buck up to your tiny fuge you got

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Also, not sure if you answered this, "The protein skimmer is going to be in the first chamber, where the water is drained first, is that ok?" Or did you mean get rid of the protein skimmer out of the whole "sump"

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Also, that link you sent me directed me to "Fiji Gold Coral & Live Rock Food 20oz", is that the mud?

 

[reefer714]

Also, that link you sent me directed me to "Fiji Gold Coral & Live Rock Food 20oz", is that the mud?

Yes, it is the fiji mud

 

[Factorybacking_05]

Ok thanks, so use about 12 ounces of that on top of the sand, good to finally get all this information, thank you!