refugium questions

[trble81]

I'm going to have a large CPR Aquafuge HOB unit on our new 90 gallon. My goal is to have macro algae in there to out-compete the nuisance algae (which would be in the main tank) for nutrients. Also, we want it for pod production in order to provide the inhabitants of the main tank with some good eats (my wife would like to have a mandarin when our tank is mature...). With that being said, because I feel like rambling I guess, I've got two fuge questions.

 

My first question has to do with the substrate in the fuge. I'm thinking about ~3" of sand (similar to the depth in the main tank). Is there a reason to have it deeper than that? I didn't know if a "remote DSB" for denitrification would apply to a HOB fuge. Also, I'm seeing this Fiji Mud stuff too. Is that worth looking into for mixing in with the sand?

 

My second question has to do with the lighting. I've read that it is good to put your fuge on an opposite lighting schedule than your main tank because that would keep oxygen levels in your tank higher (where you would normally see a drop when the lights are out). Is this true? Are there people out there that implement that for their tanks? Also, does this mean that pods are more likely to come out of the fuge during the main tank's daytime because it's nighttime in the fuge?

 

Thanks for putting up with the length of this post and thanks for any answers!

 

---Mike

[zotzer]

I don't know about pod-migration at night versus during the day, but I'd think it wouldn't matter much one way or another.

 

I have the medium sized HOB fuge, and keep it on the reverse light cycle. My pH is 8.2 by day and 8.0 by night, so I'd say it definitely is helping to stabilize the pH.

 

As far as set up, I kept mine very simple...2 lbs of live sand from Marine Scene's "gunk" tank, and about 2 lbs of rubble with chaeto on top. No crabs or "pod predators" in there. Also, no snails (except for stomatellas that find their way everywhere), as I don't want to risk one of them clogging the outflow.

 

Since I am sumpless, I also run my main heater in the fuge's intake chamber, and a smaller "backup" heater and bag of seagel in the output chamber (I have the older model where the output is a full-length chamber, not just an overflow box).

 

Things seem very lively in there, and the chaeto grows like a weed. I have to trim it back every two weeks or so.

 

If you use the CPR light fixture, you may want to check out my tank thread on how to keep light spillage from entering the main tank during the night cycle.

 

Have fun!

Tracy

Edited January 13, 2008 by zotzer

[trble81]

Tracy,

 

I did see you tank thread and your solution for the light bleed. That was some good thinking (and not overly complicated...I know a lot of people, including myself, would over think it and try to do some sort of elaborate construction).

 

 

--Mike

[zotzer]

LOL...I am from the K.I.S.S. school of reefing!

Some of these elaborate set-ups make my pea-brain ache.

 

Tracy

[trble81]

Does anyone have any opinions on the Fiji Mud?

[lancer99]

I wouldn't bother with the Fiji mud. Macros don't need it, especially Chaeto. Probably wouldn't hurt, though.

 

I do have some mixed in the substrate in my seagrass tank, but that's just for the seagrasses.

 

-R

[toastiireefs]

i will tag a long here

if you dont mind

 

im putting a fuge in my sump area

 

like super mini fuge

but i need a light

what type of light should i get for growing cheto or caulerpa?

[lancer99]

You will need a light that puts out light

 

LOL...Chaeto and other macros aren't fussy about light. I've grown them under 6.5KK halides, 40W NO fluoros, and a cheap CF light from Home Depot.

 

HTH,

-R

[extreme_tooth_decay]

You will need a light that puts out light

 

LOL...Chaeto and other macros aren't fussy about light. I've grown them under 6.5KK halides, 40W NO fluoros, and a cheap CF light from Home Depot.

 

HTH,

-R

 

 

Yep...I use el cheapo as described HERE with great results. Here's what mine looks like...you may notice some similarity to melev's last pic

 

[gastone]

Mike,

 

looks like you've gotten some good feedback. The only thing I would say is that you aren't going to get any significant denitrification from having a DSB in your fuge. If it was me I would go with about 1/4" of coarse gravel or broken up LR rubble. Pods love this stuff and gives them another place to hang.

 

GL

 

Garrett.

[zotzer]

I agree with Garrett. The only reason I added that small amount of LS from the LFS was to get the critters.

 

Two lbs (wet, right out of the gunk tank) is actually very little sand, even in a medium sized fuge.

 

Tracy