Refugium with barebottom tank?

[BraenDead]

Do most people have a refugium setup with a barebottom tank? Should I have one? I used to have one (chaeto) but took it down. Should I set one up again?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[clkwrk]

no most do not . As it is another place for nutrients to build up.

 

[rutz81]

I am running BB and DO have a refugium. I run a filter sock right before water enters the fuge. I also empty out the chaeto every week-2 weeks to siphon out any detritus from snails,etc. Although I have a big ol' Deltec skimmer, I feel it is just another way to help remove nitrates. BTW, it's only chaeto with a BB, as well.

 

[MiddletonMark]

No idea who runs with/without, but I run my 58 BB without a refugium.

Though you probably saw that at the MARS meeting

I may attach a refugium when/if I get the basement sump running this spring. With extra space ... might just do it for added system volume.

 

[examiner]

I found that even with high intensity lighting of the correct spectrum, I couldn't get any growth out of my cheato. So I just took it out. I think my pod population probably decreased, but it hasn't negatively impacted my tank or fish.

I do use a phosban reactor for phosphate control (.02 on a Hanna colorimeter). Zero nitrates, etc. I just found a fuge wasn't necessary on my tank. I do have a fairly big skimmer on my 58g BB, which I'm sure helps.

 

[imbuggin]

none

none

none on my bb 300. No problems

 

[bond007069]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6730039#post6730039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by examiner
I found that even with high intensity lighting of the correct spectrum, I couldn't get any growth out of my cheato. So I just took it out.

I have had the same problem, i tried the HD 65K flood light and a Coralife 36 watt PC.

My cheato does not grow at all.

BTW my fuge is BB too

Still can;t get my nitrates down to 0 though, it hovers around 1ppm to 5ppm on Salifert.

 

[aaron23]

So all you guys that are bare bottom, in the fuge all there is, is a clump of chaeto and a return ? thanks
Aaron.

 

[rutz81]

Yeha Aaron, just a bunch of chaeto that is separated form the return.

Also, I had the same problems with my chaeto not growing. I purchased a Lights of America floodlight and it now grows very, very fast. Website