Refugium sump contents

[fredflinstone]

Hi,

I just made a small sump of a 10 gallon tank. I would like to keep a refugium in it. Can someone tell me what exactly should I keep in it?

Is live sand neccesary?
What kind of macroalgae should I use?
Can I use mangrove plants?

Please advice.

 

[Gooli]

very simple.....sand, live rock, cheato macroalgae (dont get anything other than cheato - trust me - thats all you need to control nitrates)

 

[fredflinstone]

Thanks for your fast reply. I really appreciate it.

Should I maintain the same 2 inch sand level on the refugium?
I already have like 50 lbs of LR in my 55 gallon tank. Should I take the rock from there and place it in the refugium? or LR in aquarium is enough?
I am able to find only Gracilaria reef macroalgae in ebay. Can I use that algae?

Thanks a load.

 

[Blown 346]

I would do about 2 inches of sand in the fuge. You dont have to have live rock in the fuge, what is in the main display is fine.
That macro algae is fine.

 

[jdieck]

Well For the sake of developing sand worms and such I would not have less than 3 to 4" of oolitic aragonite sand in the refugium. I will also add some LR Rubble for pods to dwell.
Gracilaria although may survive it will not last or grow fast, insist in finding Chaetomorpha. It grows so fast that if any aquarist around your area is using it he might give you a bag full in less than three weeks of growth.
If by any chance you come by Naperville I can give you some

 

[3rotorFD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6655097#post6655097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gooliver
very simple.....sand, live rock, cheato macroalgae (dont get anything other than cheato - trust me - thats all you need to control nitrates)

+1

 

[TekCat]

I'd say go bare bottom for the fuge. If all you need is to export nitrates by growing chaeto, then, since chaeto doesn't need substrate to hold on, there is no need for sand at all.

Get Chaetomorpha!!!!! Chaeto rules. Make sure you get fluffy kind, not dense one.

 

[DaveAngie79]

i have a 35g sump for my 75 gal tank, in my sump i section of about a 10-12 gal for my ref with about 3-4 sand and some small live rock pieces i also use spegettie alge i would use some small live rock pieces if you have since thats where the pods grow and produce

 

[Loralie]

I have a 110 gallon fuge. In mine I have 2 to 3 inches of sand and about 80+ lbs of LR. Also have Mangroves, Cheato, Gracilaria, various softies, feather star, serpent stars and i thick population of pods.

 

[Gooli]

I also have 3-4" of sand in my fuge. But, i dont see any tunnels or any other indications that its helping anything - so i'm not sure if it's absolutely necessary...but LR is a must for the pods and other life to hide.

I was in a LFS a few days ago and some guy bought this big a$# plant to put in the sump - i wanted to tell him: "dude- just get free cheato from a local reefer" - i didn't butt in - not my business i guess....but it is really upseting to see.

So i reiterate....get CHEATO