Critters for a display refugium?

[d2mini]

Looking for dos/dont's for when it comes to stocking your display refugium with anything other than the plants/macros.
Not sure if the question should be WHAT to put in it or what NOT to put in it.
Obviously I would not want anything in there that would eat the plants and figure there may be things that might contribute to growth or help the tank in general.
Snails? Hermits? Crabs? Cucumbers? Stars? Urchins? Fish?

 

[skidoctor]

I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I have a ton of livestock in my refugium along with a bunch of LR rubble. Snails, hermits, peppermint shrimps, starfish, Kenya tree, anthelia, random corals that just grow from tossing plugs in, 3 damsels, 7 mollies and a huge ball of chaeto. There's probably more in there that I don't know about, but whatever. I've never had an issue with algae or nutrients, and it's pretty cool to watch. Almost as entertaining as my DT.

 

[burnah]

the name refugium is used because it should host creatures that cannot thrive in the tank because they are preyed on, like algae and pods. if you introduce fish, it would lower the usually desired effect to produce higher biodiversity through creating a biotope. simply putting in sand and liverock and seeing what comes out could be interesting, but if you try to put in only plant eaters, you might end up with lots of interesting critters.

just my opinion, martin

 

[brob22]

yea, im looking for things to put in also, but i dont want anything that will hurt my pod population. i was thinking shrimp maby

 

[Comedy Fish]

Subscribing! Sounds like a very cool topic.

 

[d2mini]

the name refugium is used because it should host creatures that cannot thrive in the tank because they are preyed on, like algae and pods. if you introduce fish, it would lower the usually desired effect to produce higher biodiversity through creating a biotope. simply putting in sand and liverock and seeing what comes out could be interesting, but if you try to put in only plant eaters, you might end up with lots of interesting critters.

just my opinion, martin

For me, the plants are the number one priority.
Then the pods.
But since I have mangroves, I put in two banggai cardinals. Not like my mangrove roots are doing anything for them but hey, the thought is there.

So are you saying fish is the only thing you wouldn't put in?

 

[Betta132]

Hmm... Maybe you could get something that can't be kept with fish. A mantis shrimp, perhaps? Those are neat, and keeping one by himself would be cool.
Or maybe a sally lightfoot or similar large-ish crab?
Maybe one of those big mean hermit crabs?
I'm thinking a big mean invert who can't be kept in a main tank because he'll eat something or kill stuff, but is too large to be interested in pods.

 

[jarrod13]

I've kept an angler twice in my fuge. Awesome fish and shouldn't bother anything in the fuge itself.

 

[Comedy Fish]

I am planning on putting a yellow tailed damsel in mine. Too aggressive to put in the display but man are they gorgeous.

 

[Comedy Fish]

Anyone else agree?

 

[jarrod13]

Agree with what?

 

[Comedy Fish]

About the damsel being a good idea for a display fuge. I have a pair of mocha clowns now and don't want them to get bullied.

 

[Comedy Fish]

For me, the plants are the number one priority.

Then the pods.

But since I have mangroves, I put in two banggai cardinals. Not like my mangrove roots are doing anything for them but hey, the thought is there.



So are you saying fish is the only thing you wouldn't put in?[/QUOT are mangroves and cards linked somehow?

 

[Kharn]

A stomatopod...

 

[jarrod13]

Comedy fish- I think clowns could hold their own against a damsel, especially a yellow tail, they are more docile. Not a bad candidate for the fuge still though.

 

[Comedy Fish]

Okay thanks buddy. Damsels are cheap but still one of the prettiest IMO

 

[brob22]

hes right comedy fish

my clown actualy bullies my yellow tail damsel.

ive always kept a yellow tail damsel in my display and never had much issue.

 

[skidoctor]

I just have things in my fuge because I think it's cool. I guess it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I just view it as a second tank attached to my main system. I have nothing in the DT that feeds soley on pods, chaeto grows well enough but not enough to consider it a main source of nutrient export, plus I needed somewhere to store extra LR.

 

[Comedy Fish]

Post some pics!

 

[Kathleen Beth]

plumbing 55 g to sump refugium

plumbing 55 g to sump refugium

I just bought used skimmer with sump refugium and mag5 pump, will be using overflow as tank is tempered glass and can't be drilled or so I am told. Any ideas on plumbing this set-up from overflow to protein skimmer through back to tank. For sake of ease I would prefer I think to use clear flex tubing any and all input appreciated.