Bouch097
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I just upgraded from a wet/dry to a refugium. Without being entirely sure how to set it up (or even if my terminology is correct), I tried to go by the way the LFS had one set up. The end result is the attached pic. Other than a bigger sponge (I tried to cut up my old one... Good thing I'm not a hair dresser) and adding more water, I wanted to ask if I've got this thing set up correctly. Also, I had a couple of questions...
The reason I got it is b/c even w/ upscaled water changes, I had a nitrate spike and still can't get it back below 30-40. It just stays in that range. I have a 50pd clump of Tonga branch rock in my 72 gal tank that probably keeps dead critters in it hidden from me. My live rock also tends to grow a brown, stringy like algae (?) on it, making it look pretty nasty. My clean-up crew can't keep up with the growth. The LFS recommended taking out the live rock and giving it a scrub down to remove it, as well as a large water chage. My question is should I do this now, or wait until the refugium is becoming effective in reducing the nitrate levels so that this gunk won't just regrow by then. Also, is it ok to keep the light on the refugium on 24 hrs/day to attempt to jump-start it.
Thanks in advance for your input.
The reason I got it is b/c even w/ upscaled water changes, I had a nitrate spike and still can't get it back below 30-40. It just stays in that range. I have a 50pd clump of Tonga branch rock in my 72 gal tank that probably keeps dead critters in it hidden from me. My live rock also tends to grow a brown, stringy like algae (?) on it, making it look pretty nasty. My clean-up crew can't keep up with the growth. The LFS recommended taking out the live rock and giving it a scrub down to remove it, as well as a large water chage. My question is should I do this now, or wait until the refugium is becoming effective in reducing the nitrate levels so that this gunk won't just regrow by then. Also, is it ok to keep the light on the refugium on 24 hrs/day to attempt to jump-start it.
Thanks in advance for your input.