refugium newbie question

[MsBeanCtr]

I currently am using a 20 gallon tank as a sump for my 72 gallon bowfront. I have everything stuffed into it (heater, phosphate reactor, protein skimmer etc). Someone (Fijiwigi) was kind enough to ship an acrylic sump over to me. I have everything ready to go but I have some questions about the refugium portion of the sump.

Do I simply add live rock rubble to it and a handfull of chaeto and let it go? Should I do the refugium mud thing? Am I supposed to add snails to it? How long should I set the timer for the lights in the sump? Do you have anything inbetween the sections of the sump (between the baffles) such as a foam insert?

Told ya....Refugium newbie here

 

[Ziggy953]

I have sand, LR LR rubble and tons of macro in my fuge. I keep the light on 24/7. Depending on how your sump is set up you may need something to keep things in their place, I don't suggest using sponges unless you are going to clean them out weekly. Sponges will kind of defeat the purpose of the fuge.

I don't care for the miracle mud I think it is a lot of money for something that isn't proven to make that much difference. I just put 4 - 5" of sand on the bottom put in some LR and rubble and tossed in the macro.

 

[Ziggy953]

Here is what my fuge looked like in Feb.

This is what it looks like now.

 

[melosu58]

If you are using calerpa then you`ll need to keep the lights on 24/7. I did the miracle mud thing covered by sand but if given another chance I probably would have not used it. Just never saw any advantage.

 

[MsBeanCtr]

Thank you much for the pictures! I'm a visual person when it comes to setup etc.

Should I use calerpa or chaeto or something else? a combo??

 

[cmor1701d]

Chaeto is safer. If you do use caulerpa algae then you should light it 24/7 to keep it from going sexual

 

[melosu58]

Chaeto is safer. If you do use caulerpa algae then you should light it 24/7 to keep it from going sexual

And if I could add one thing You need to keep it pruned back also. It`s OK to have a tank full but if it gets really thick it will go sexual also.

 

[fijiwigi]

Hey ms Bean Ctr I have a huge Pile of Chaeto I could send you for free. Just PM me with your address again and Ill ship it out.

 

[Ziggy953]

I use a combination of Cheato and Caulerpa. The Caulerpa grows very very fast and helps reduce nutrients more quickly. Once a month I remove a large portion of it and let it start growing again.

A lot of people are not comfortable with caulerpa in their systems. I have had success with it.

 

[Skyrmir]

Emerald crabs will tear through some caulerpa too. I had some I was just letting grow in my display area. They hit it like a pack of lawn mowers.

Critters eating the caulerpa before it catches hold in the main tank may be why some people have no problems with it.

 

[Ziggy953]

Well I do have 2 tangs that love the stuff.....

 

[melosu58]

I agree as I take a ball of it out and put it in the main for my tangs. It will last in there about 2 days

 

[MsBeanCtr]

I didn't even think of that....I have 2 pigs....Oh! I mean tangs that would love the stuff. Great!! Thanks very much for the info