Refugium

[boozerell]

Well, my proclear refugium finally arrived and I have it up and running.
My question is about the micro bubbles. I have very tiny bubbles in the tank, but it seems to be getting better as time goes by. Is there something I did wrong, or will they go away as everything breaks in? There's a pre-filter that dumps into first chamber which over flows to the refugium and then to a thin chamber with a blue sponge/filter in it and then finally into the chamber that has the return pump. Do you run the lights all the time on the refugium, or do they turn off with the daylight lights?
The only thing in the refugium right now is live rock, but if someone has some extra chaeto they could bring to the meeting, that would be great.

 

[smmscott]

I run my lights in a reverse cycle from the main tank lights. I would also wait a little bit to see if your bubbles go away if they are getting better it is just a break in time. Good luck.
Scott

 

[boozerell]

Do other run their lights opposite the main tank?

 

[boozerell]

Are you suppose to put anything in the filter socks? I was wondering about a bag of charcoal? I'm assuming they just collect the debris and are emptied/replaced.

 

[mike660r]

I run my refugium lights opposing to my main tank lights.

 

[smmscott]

Leave them empty and clean/replace when dirty, usually about every 3-5 days

 

[boozerell]

Okay, that's what I thought. If I clean these filter bags, every 3-4 days, how long should they last, before I should replace?

 

[smmscott]

Not too sure on that one. I just bought material today to make some, I would guess at least a few months or longer.

 

[rj ripetide]

I have multiple filter bags that I use. That way when they need cleaned I remove the dirty one and put the clean one in place. That gives me plenty of time to clean them thoroughly and let dry before reusing them. As far a changing them, I changed them every three or four days but it depends on your system. It maybe every two days for some systems. Just don't let them go too long. They can be nitrate factories if not clean. And for the time to replace them...you'll know when they are wore out.

 

[boozerell]

Thanks riptide.
The light I have over the refugium is 2- 65K, is this enough?

 

[rj ripetide]

How much wattage are you running?

I too run my fuge light opposite of the main tank.
The idea is, it helps balance pH.

 

[boozerell]

Each light bulb is 13 watts.

 

[boozerell]

Last question....for now. I shut the return pump off when I fed the tank, I'm suppose to do this right? What would be the cause of the micro bubbles? Air trapped in the lines?

 

[smmscott]

when turning it back on yes air in the lines.

 

[Dtip]

How do you clean your filter socks? Just rinse with treated/filtered water, or something more?

 

[tolo13]

I throw my in the washer with regular water and no laundry soap. But I have no wife to tell me I can't, life is so good!