Refugium Help

[noahwz]

I set up a refugium for my 90 gallon tank. Refugium is about 20 gallons when system is on so total about 110 gallon system.

Im running chaeto algae in my refugium and bare bottom. Originally i did not have a great light and have purchased a plant growth light and timer so i can set schedule for opposite light schedule as my main tank.

Currently in the refugium i have bare bottom but do have some bricks. I am wanting to switch to Sand or possibly Miracle Mud.

Is anyone able to tell me from experience if there is any true benefit to either?

 

[TX_REEF]

You should have enough surface area in your display to make the use of additional bio-media in your fuge unnecessary. If I were you, I'd leave the fuge bare-bottom, and if possible arrange the flow to cause the chaeto to tumble, ensuring all sides of the "ball" are lit equally, and preventing the buildup of detritus. The main goal of the fuge is generally nutrient export, and for that, you want to maximize the growth of your macroalgae / chaeto.

 

[Sumbub]

Miracle mud will add a good amount of minerals and trace elements to your system. It'll become a benthic zone for denitrifying bacteria.

Sand can become a benthic zone as well. It lacks some trace elements but can still be used.

 

[exnisstech]

I had a couple of inches of sand under my chaeto. It was full of worms and other critters. I was never able to get my chaeto to tumble so I just rolled it every once in a while. I kept mine as a refugium for critters. I found it poor at nutrient reduction but I had a larger system.

 

[kvansloo]

I do not run sand or mud in my refuge any longer. I have removed it all and put ceramic rings and balls in the refuge, and just put macroalgae on top of it. I also add Copepods, Amphipods ad now dose Phytoplankton.

 

[noahwz]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Had my UV running in my refugium in the sump and thought that maybe too much flow was my issue..... so i removed it and put in another compartment.

Had a really cheap LED light about 20 inches off the surface of the water.

Going to try to putting my UV back because it was actually very effective at getting my chaeto to tumble. Issue was it just wasnt growing. No dying either though.

Hoping the bricks i have on the bottom of the refug, chaeto on top, UV for tumble and light much closer to flood chaeto better will hopefully help get my chaeto to grow.

Should i wait to add copepods until my chaeto is large? or does it matter currently about the size of a softball.

 

[Sumbub]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Had my UV running in my refugium in the sump and thought that maybe too much flow was my issue..... so i removed it and put in another compartment.

Had a really cheap LED light about 20 inches off the surface of the water.

Going to try to putting my UV back because it was actually very effective at getting my chaeto to tumble. Issue was it just wasnt growing. No dying either though.

Hoping the bricks i have on the bottom of the refug, chaeto on top, UV for tumble and light much closer to flood chaeto better will hopefully help get my chaeto to grow.

Should i wait to add copepods until my chaeto is large? or does it matter currently about the size of a softball.

Sometimes chaeto takes a pause to growing. Other times it grows like a weed. You can add pods any time. Just stop the pumps before you do and give them an hour to settle in. Put some in the main and some in the fuge.

 

[exnisstech]

Should i wait to add copepods until my chaeto is large? or does it matter currently about the size of a softball.

I've never added pods to any of my systems and I have no shortage. They always find their way in naturally. Kind of like bristle worms and asterina stars.