refugium advice

[stocker]

I've seen so many successful tanks here on RC, am looking for some good sound advice on refugiums.
What are some key ingredients in having a successful refugium. For example, lighting, inhabitants, flow.etc...
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[es1887]

you do not want too high of flow i run around 300 gph out of mine. it is a 30g on a 120. have the skimmer before the fuge. cheato is great algae for it it provides plenty of small little areas for pods. i have a 42 watt pc and run it the opposite as my tank to help balance ph and o2 levels. if you have caulerpa run it 24/7.

 

[cloak]

Do what you can so that you don't need a refuge. Shouldn't want any other algae growth other than coralline when you really think about it. Pods are food, but with all the stuff we feed our DT tanks, it's a small percentage IMO.

 

[es1887]

refugiums are great and help to balance your tank while providing more biodiversity i would highly suggest getting one on your tank. it will greatly benefit your tank and make your maintaining it much easier. you grow algae in there so it out competes other macro or algaes in your tank. it also provides you with nutrient export.

 

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224015#post15224015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloak
Do what you can so that you don't need a refuge. Shouldn't want any other algae growth other than coralline when you really think about it. Pods are food, but with all the stuff we feed our DT tanks, it's a small percentage IMO.

I think you should do what you can so you don't need a refuge, then go ahead and add one. What possible down sides are you seeing from adding a refugium?

 

[cloak]

I thought that RO/DI was there to prohibit algae growth, now all of a sudden you want it? Doesn't make any since to me. How's your tap? Why do it in two when it can be done in one? Boredom perhaps?

 

[es1887]

no its not nuisance algae, hair, slim, other forms of it. it is a macro that helps take out phosphates and nitrates. not too have one i feel is very limiting on your tank and makes more work for you.

 

[cloak]

Woops.

 

[cloak]

Burp alert!

 

[stocker]

I already have a fuge. Am just looking to get the most out of it. Yes, the skimmer is before the fuge. I might have too much flow, I will have to use a smaller powerhead.

 

[Rich D]

I doubt you have too much flow, you might be able to do something to diffuse it if you need to but ive never really seen a reason to lessen the flow...