refugium question ?

[nimo1969]

What can I put in my refugium ? live sand n live rock etc.......... I just odered the aquafuge external hang on refugium from dr fs
I need ideas what can I put with lr ,ls and how much ? its 19 L 1/4 by 41/2 w by 12 h

THANKS
Nimo1969

 

[K-Dubbs]

There are many options... but first we need to know if it is lighted or not, because that will make a difference.

K-Dubbs

 

[whiteshark]

If your gonna put a light on the fuge, then I would put a lot of chaeto algae in. Usually hang on fuges don't have enough area for a DSB to be effective, IMO, so I don't think the sand is necessary.

 

[nimo1969]

yes mini compact fluorescent lighting

 

[nimo1969]

hello
anyone have ideas ???????//

 

[BadOleRoss]

Caulerpa or cheato will do fine in your refugium. Use cheato as yur first choise if you can find some. It is less invasive then caulerpa. You dont want caulerpa to enter your MT. I would leave the refugium lights on 24/7 to get maximum benefits.

 

[K-Dubbs]

some people like to swtich on refuge lights when tank goes off and vice versa, as to keep the pH stable. I have also heard stories of people leaving it on 24/7 and all their macro algea turning white and dying.

 

[sttroyiii]

I think the cheato is the easiest to manage and it grows fast. It also harbors lots of pods. You might want to think about getting some egg crate for a divider (if it doesnt have one) and filling part of the fuge with LR rubble. The LR wont need any light, so you could also have the cheato on top of it. Thats how my sump/fuge is.

 

[atillathetom]

any critters?

any critters?

I have a smalle fuge as well, with macro and a DSB, but I have alsways wondered if there should be any other critters in there? Snails/stars, etc?

 

[rustybucket145]

I would definately have a DSB in the fuge. This will aid in amiphod and copepod production. A small pile of live rock rubble is also VERY beneficial to these critters. Then on top put some Chaeto (Chaetomorphia) and let it grow wild. But prune it as necessary.

 

[rustybucket145]

I would keep stars out of the refugium algae eating snails are ok and so are hermit crabs but you need to keep any type of carniviorious predator out!