Starting a new tank

[Firebatm]

Hi all,

I've been running a 26g bow face with cascade filter and a nano skimmer for a couple of years. Decided to move to a 54g with nano Refugium w/ skimmer. Due to some benthic predation problems killing all bottom fish I've decided to start the new tank with all new live sand. Will purchase life rock to build a base and then transfer my existing rocks with soft corals after dipping. I've never used a Refugium before. My tentative plan is to install 3-4 inches of live sand with some smaller live rocks and add cheats and timber pods. (Aiming to keep a Mandarin)

Any recommendations or best practices for the new Refugium are welcome. My previous tank struggled for a long time before I found a good balance.

Thanks

 

[lapin]

Hi all,
I've never used a Refugium before. My tentative plan is to install 3-4 inches of live sand with some smaller live rocks and add cheats and timber pods. (Aiming to keep a Mandarin)
Any recommendations or best practices for the new Refugium are welcome. My previous tank struggled for a long time before I found a good balance.
Thanks

Great Idea. Get some real live sand. Not the bag at the LFS, of sand with bacteria added, thats been out of the ocean for weeks or months. For macro algae you will need a light. There are other choices besides chaeto. The Red Tang heaven has always been a good grower for me. If you live near the ocean then you have a good way of getting diversity in that fuge.