LR Rubble in Refugium -- How much?

[fsn77]

We have a 90 gallon reef tank, 15 gallon DIY sump, and a 20 gallon DIY refugium. I put about 5 lbs of live rock rubble in the sump for some added bio-filtration. In the refugium, there's 4" of sand, a ball of chaeto, and some live rock rubble (about 4 lbs). The pile of rubble sits on top of about 1/2 of the sandy bottom in the refugium and the other 1/2 is for the chaeto. I tossed in 4 hermit crabs and 1 turbo snail to keep the misc. algae / detritous under control.

I've become overly entertained just watching those few hermits forage through the pile of rubble in the refugium. As crazy as it sounds, I like the pile of rubble in the refugium as much as I do the rock work in the main tank. I'm considering adding more rubble to the refugium to beef up the bio-filtration, give the hermits more to pick through, and provide a larger safe area for pods to feed and breed. Is there a limit on how much LR rubble I can put in the refugium? Can I pile it high on that one side, leaving the other side just for the chaeto?

 

[enemec1]

do you have a photo of your refugium?

 

[fsn77]

Sure, here's a photo...

Refugium

The bar running down the center of the photo is one of the braces for the stand.

 

[reefnetworth]

add as much as you like, there is no such thing as too much. youre correct, the LR is your bio-filter it helps to remove nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, the bacteria living and breeding within it actuallty eat these and in turn they are natures filter. REEF-ON!!!

 

[reefnetworth]

just saw pic, looks good! you have lots of room. the best LR would be rubble for price, also you have more surface feet for bacteria to live and breed. IMO i would tripple the amount you have. leave room for circulation stack loose, it doesnt have to be pretty it just need to be alive. REEF-ON!!!

 

[fsn77]

Very good... thanks! There is a lot of room -- I was hoping that adding more wouldn't be a problem.

 

[mg426]

Load it up !!!