Refugium substrate - Aquarium Advice

jcdwep · 02-10-2005, 07:31 PM

What does everyone think is the best substrate to use in a refugium and why? I am in the process of establishing a homemade refugium (30 [acronym:ac13585efb="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ac13585efb]) and have plenty of crushed coral that I recently removed from the main tank (75gal). Would this be recommended to use? It would save me $$$ if I could get favorable results from it.

electrikat · 02-10-2005, 07:36 PM

In my last fuge I used [acronym:6e6ec5812f="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]cc[/acronym:6e6ec5812f] for the bottom layer 2 inches or so, and then sand on top of that for 2 to 3 inches. Then just add your cleaners and macro if you are adding it. Also if you have it you can add some live rock rubble. That will help you grow [acronym:6e6ec5812f="copepods, amphipods, etc"]pods[/acronym:6e6ec5812f] also.

midiman · 02-10-2005, 07:39 PM

I'm using 5" of aragonite to try to set up a small [acronym:8a4f3c33f7="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym:8a4f3c33f7]. Will add [acronym:8a4f3c33f7="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8a4f3c33f7] rubble and chaetomorpha after my cycle is compete.

jcdwep · 02-10-2005, 09:20 PM

What about the mud? Any difference in using it?
And Kat did your [acronym:96adc10f1d="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]CC[/acronym:96adc10f1d] come to the top of the sand after a while?

electrikat · 02-10-2005, 09:34 PM

No the weight of the sand keeps it down. Your flow in a fuge is very slow. Not much current.

midiman · 02-10-2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Your flow in a fuge is very slow. Not much current.

Fortunately, in a rare moment of successful advance planning, I actually thought of this when designing my sump. The water from my tank enters into TWO chanbers of the sump:skimmer chamber and fuge chamber. The rate to the chambers is regulated through the use of a ball valve.

I actually have a pretty substantial current through my refugium - I want to keep a ball of Chaetomorpha rolling a bit to get my [acronym:01d3e96068="copepods, amphipods, etc"]pods[/acronym:01d3e96068] all excited.

02-10-2005, 07:31 PM	#1
jcdwep Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 28	Refugium substrate What does everyone think is the best substrate to use in a refugium and why? I am in the process of establishing a homemade refugium (30 [acronym:ac13585efb="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ac13585efb]) and have plenty of crushed coral that I recently removed from the main tank (75gal). Would this be recommended to use? It would save me $$$ if I could get favorable results from it. __________________ Swimming is not a sport, it is a way to keep from drowning.

02-10-2005, 07:36 PM	#2
electrikat Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: texas Posts: 1,474	In my last fuge I used [acronym:6e6ec5812f="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]cc[/acronym:6e6ec5812f] for the bottom layer 2 inches or so, and then sand on top of that for 2 to 3 inches. Then just add your cleaners and macro if you are adding it. Also if you have it you can add some live rock rubble. That will help you grow [acronym:6e6ec5812f="copepods, amphipods, etc"]pods[/acronym:6e6ec5812f] also. __________________ Good luck! Kat 90 malawia cichlid 55 planted tropical community http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=fishfree

02-10-2005, 07:39 PM	#3
midiman Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 602 Images: 5	I'm using 5" of aragonite to try to set up a small [acronym:8a4f3c33f7="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym:8a4f3c33f7]. Will add [acronym:8a4f3c33f7="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8a4f3c33f7] rubble and chaetomorpha after my cycle is compete. __________________ 30 [acronym:f1cc29f5b7="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:f1cc29f5b7] standard 55 lbs [acronym:f1cc29f5b7="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:f1cc29f5b7], 60 lb live sand, 10 [acronym:f1cc29f5b7="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:f1cc29f5b7] sump/refugium. Urchin skimmer, mag7 pump, 3 x 96W [acronym:f1cc29f5b7="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f1cc29f5b7] combination 10,000K/actinic bulb, 2 blue LED moonlights [acronym:f1cc29f5b7="Specific gravity"]SG[/acronym:f1cc29f5b7] 1.024, temp 79.5, pH 8.4 Livestock I added: 1 skunk cleaner. 12 hermits: red, scarlet, blue. 15 or so assorted snails. Discosomas, Ricordia, Rhodactis mushroom corals, chaetomorpha (sump), 1 feather duster, Montipora digitata, Montipora capricornis, Montipora hispids. assorted zoos, Xenia, Kenya tree coral, green Sinularia, green star polyps, branching hammer coral, bubble coral, Devil's hand leather. Yellow chromis, purple firefish. Hitchhikers: the usual suspects :crabs, bristles, urchin, mantis shrimp (now in exile in mantis tank) List of possible/likely newcomers: Feather duster. PJ cardinal, Bangghai cardinal, Firefish goby, Clownfish, Neon goby, Yellow watchman goby, Orchid dottyback. Various corals.

02-10-2005, 09:20 PM	#4
jcdwep Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 28	What about the mud? Any difference in using it? And Kat did your [acronym:96adc10f1d="Crushed Coral (if substrate) or Counter Current (if referring to a Protien skimmer) or cubic centimeter (if referring to a measure of volume)."]CC[/acronym:96adc10f1d] come to the top of the sand after a while? __________________ Swimming is not a sport, it is a way to keep from drowning.

02-10-2005, 09:34 PM	#5
electrikat Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: texas Posts: 1,474	No the weight of the sand keeps it down. Your flow in a fuge is very slow. Not much current. __________________ Good luck! Kat 90 malawia cichlid 55 planted tropical community http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=fishfree

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