Building a refugium

[TrixLCD]

I am making a refugium out of a 30g long tank for my 55g tank.
the tank will be seperated into three sections. the first six inches will be where the water comes in, and where the skimmer will be. the next 24in will be the refugium, and the next six will be the spot for the return pump. I am going to grow macro algae in the tank and wanted to know what would provide the best possible filtration for the tank. There will be approximately 400gph running through the refugium. Also i am going to be putting a 24" 2x36 watt PC light fixture(i can do a 2x65 watt if i must). I would just like to know what is the best thing to do in the refugium to provide good filtration. This is my first refugium and am in the process of reading as much as possible. I am currently in the process of building the refugium. I am open to any suggestions. I think this will provide enough room for a good sized refugium for my 55.

Thanks for any help and sorry for the long post, but i wanna do it right. Or atleast try

The 30g tank is 12in wide.

 

[kmk2307]

You might want to try posting this in the DIY forum. I'm not so sure I'm happy with my 'fuge so I don't think I should be giving advice to others on how to build them. Good luck!

Kevin

 

[TrixLCD]

Thx. While this is here though could someone suggest some macro algea to go in the refugium. And also will the 24" 2x36 watt PC lights be enough?

 

[sjvl51]

Some people use the MH bulbs that are too old for the display tank to light their refuge. The more light, the better growth you will have. The more growth, the more nutrients are absorbed by the macro algae.

As for suggesting a macro algae. For nutrient export only, many people use chaeto now. The various caulerpas are good as well providing you harvest regularily so it has room to grow. I haven't seen any reports of it going asexual providing it was harvested when it filled 75 to 80% of the available space. Some people say mangroves are good for nutrient export. Others say, because of their slow growth, they don't export as much or as fast as the caulerpas.

If you are looking for tang food, then there are the tang heaven (red & green) also known as Gracilaria verrucosa and ulva. Some people also feed their tangs racemosa (a caulerpa).

The thing to remember, as your macro algae becomes successful in exporting the nutrients, the growth will slow down due to lack of nutrients. At that time, you may want to increase the food you are feeding the tank or reduce the amount of macro algae to keep the high growth.

I suggest reading this article concerning iron and macroalgae - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/aug2002/chem.htm if you haven't already.

Vickie

 

[TrixLCD]

thx for the info. It was a good article too. Thx for the help.

 

[kmk2307]

TrixLCD,

I'm a big fan of Chaetomorpha and Caulerpa for refugium algaes. Caulerpa can reproduce sexually which involves the death of the parent "plant" and which can release endotoxins into your tank. Just be sure you are well read on it before you start growing it. Sometimes an individual of Caulerpa may die due to starvation of one thing or another that it needs to live. This will also lead to the release of any endotoxins in the alga.

HTH and good luck,
Kevin

 

[sjvl51]

Sorry, Kevin. So many people refer to it as "asexual" that I assumed it was the correct term. I have never looked into it. I'll try to remember.

Vickie

 

[TrixLCD]

alright thx for the help. I'll be sure to read as much as possible on caulerpa before purchasing. I am open to any more suggestions. Should i put some rubble pieces of live rock to help with filtration. I have 48 pounds in my main tank. I was planning on getting some miracle mud to go on the bottom. Thx for the help.

P.S i am planning on using the Kent's Iron supplement for the tank when i start up the refugium.