Mini Refugium Thing?

[ILoveLlamas]

I see a lot of posts with what I think is a little refugium in the back of one of the chambers in the nano cube. I know I would need live sand, but what else would I need to make this happen? Some special algae and a mini light? I think it would be cool to have this going in the back.

Also, I am about to make my online order at Drs. Foster and Smith, so I just wanted to make sure that phytoplex is the food I need for feather dusters and other filter feeders right?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[SugarFox03]

I have a mini fuge in my 24g AquaPod, its a great idea. No sand, as it can move to the next chamber and get stuck in the powerheads. I just have 4-5 lbs of LR rubble and chaeto. I got a light from Home Depot, just a regular flood light thats 6700k and I believe 18W. I stuck it in a cheap clamp lamp thing also from HD. It was less than $15 for both things.

 

[ILoveLlamas]

This would be for a 12, so it would need to be a really small light. I will look around tomorrow. I have plenty of LR rubble, and is chaeto something I can pick up at an LFS?

 

[mangus7175]

Here's a picture of Chaeto

You will definitely need a small light for them since it needs to go through a photosynthetic process. Chaeto is also useful in keeping your nitrates and nitrites to a minimum.

The light I use for my refugium is the 20W 50/50 Coralife bulb which can be purchased at petco

Water changes are also a good idea, on my 20G I try to change my water at least twice a month.

 

[psilo]

^how can i implement two of these into my 10g nano's hood for 4watts/gallon? Do those go in to normal fixtures, aka if i got a fixture from lowes with two sockets (like $2 dual bulb fixtures) i could just mount in my hood and use those things?

 

[mangus7175]

Yes you actually can, I am using a regular socket fixture to power the bulb. Also, Coralife offers these lights in a 10W version as well.

 

[Doglover_50]

if you have a cube--did you cut back the plastic over the compartment for the light?

 

[stsmythe]

Ya, any of you guys have pictures of what your refugium looks like? I am thinking of doing the same thing with my 24 gallon nano cube, I haven't set it up yet. How well is the cheato growing back there?

 

[ILoveLlamas]

Pics please!