refumium advice!

[rbnice1]

What critters should I put in a remote DSB/Cheeto/Rubble refugium?

What kind of snails/craibs/any other critter?

 

[danfrith]

Well, for a normal refugium all you really need is sand, live rock and algae. The pods and other organisms will seed from your live rock and macroalgae. You dont necessarily want any other larger critters that will decimate your microfauna, it wont really be a refugium anymore if you add them.

 

[ed4]

I agree w/ danfrith.

If you're fortunate enough to select which organisms to drop into your 'fuge, here's what I'd suggest:

-copeods
-amphipods
-mysis shrimp
-some small bristleworms
-micro serpent or brittle stars
-chaeto or gracillira macroalgae

With the exception w/ the macroalgae, the above may/should come w/ your live rock and sand.

In my fuge I drop 2 cerinth snails for a week, every month. They help stir up the sand and crop microalgae.

I also have a few 1" x 2" x 2" coarse foam blocks wedged in a few places. I found that 'pods and micro stars like to use the matrix of holes for shelter and possibly munch on the detritus that could settle. Every once in a while, I'll move one into my display area to export some 'pods.

 

[billdogg]

ed - great idea with the foam blocks! my mandarin will love them!

 

[ed4]

I'm sure yours will Bill, as mine seem to appreciate the refills

 

[Aquarist007]

there is alot of usefull information on refugiums here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443