Shallow Refugium

[Kharn]

I'm stumped on the substrate... ?

The Refugiums I have are 225mm Deep x 300mm Wide x 450mm Long

So I have limited depth to work with for a "DSB", all I planned on was Substrate & Macro Algae (no live rock), what are others opinions / recommenations due to the 'shallow' depth I have to work with ?

I have had someone already recommend Miracle Mud.

 

[enchelycore808]

For most macros the sand depth doesn't really matter. As long as they have enough to grab a hold of to anchor. In my macro display, I only have 1/2" front to maybe just under an 1" in the back. The only time you'd need a deeper sand bed would be with seagrasses. I wouldn't stick the miracle mud in there though. You know you'll want to put a mantis in there sooner or later and all you'll see is brown water

 

[Kharn]

For most macros the sand depth doesn't really matter. As long as they have enough to grab a hold of to anchor. In my macro display, I only have 1/2" front to maybe just under an 1" in the back. The only time you'd need a deeper sand bed would be with seagrasses. I wouldn't stick the miracle mud in there though.

I'm using a caulerpa algae the same as what is in my Displays (just going to remove all of it from the displays once the Refugiums are running).

Going with a bare bottom from what others have recently told me on FB, and just the macro in it, also seriously considering purchasing a couple of FBFs (don't need 3 since 1 of the systems IS a DSB).

You know you'll want to put a mantis in there sooner or later and all you'll see is brown water

 

[enchelycore808]

Yea don't really need the sand and it'll be easier to get at the detritus. I had a whole sump full of caulerpa in my eel tank. None of it was attached and it just grew as a dense mat over the top of that partition. Makes it easy to remove if it's not attached to anything. Simply pulled out half, dumped in compost and repeat next week.

 

[JPF]

I have always just let it free range without sand. Makes it easy to grab, tear in half and throw out.