Funky Fuge?

[Xxero]

I have a refugium set-up in the middle portion of my sump, and it's getting pretty funky.

But is this a good thing? Lots and lots of pods and such, and I have a large bale of Chaeto also. Everything seems fine, it's just a little unattractive.

It is a very low flow area, so it's mostly cyano that's getting a little crazy down there. Is this okay if I just suck out as much as I can during routine water changes or do most of you just let your fuge do its thing?

 

[Wonton Soup]

You can suck the cyano out but it might just start growing in the display. If it's going to grow you want it to happen in the refugium.

As for the aesthetics of it, sure it doesn't hurt to tidy things up a bit. However, if your refugium is out of sight most of the time (enclosed in the stand) then personally I'd let it do it's thing. More function over form, so to speak.

As long as it's not so wild that it's impeding flow through the sump or compromising equipment you're good to go. It probably works better when it's like that anyway.

 

[Xxero]

Thank you Wonton Soup! Everything seems fine, it's just a little unsightly. I believe it's the low-flow of that sump portion and the shop light I have down there that's causing the Cyano. I'll probably add a tiny powerhead to try to increase movement.

 

[Xxero]

I couldn't take it anymore, so I cleaned it up quite a bit. I also incorporated a HOB filter to that section I had stored away. I think it will help with circulation plus add some extra surface water movement:

You can tell by the baffles how bad it was getting. I'll clean up the remainder on my next water change.

MUCH better! :bigeyes:

 

[theMatrix]

Nice sump...
I would use that hob when a QT is needed. Its ready.
As long as harmfull meds arnt used can be changed back in forth

 

[Wonton Soup]

It looks great! I really like how you have egg crate as a sort of strainer to keep the cheato corralled.

 

[geekengineer]

looks cool zero very nice and clean now.

 

[Xxero]

Nice sump...
I would use that hob when a QT is needed. Its ready.
As long as harmfull meds arnt used can be changed back in forth

Thanks! And that's a great idea using the HOB for QT. I forgot that I had the thing. :bigeyes:

 

[Xxero]

It looks great! I really like how you have egg crate as a sort of strainer to keep the cheato corralled.

Thank you! I just added those eggcrate pieces a few weeks ago. They do help with stray Chaeto pieces, and they also help keep snails from travelling about.

 

[Xxero]

looks cool zero very nice and clean now.

ThanX! It's definitely a lot better, and I really like this set-up. I tossed a big Mexican Turbo Snail in there today, along with a couple of hermits, so maybe they can do their thing. If nothing else, they'll give the lone Emerald Crab down there some company. :bigeyes: