Sump CUC

[IronMan72]

I am growing chaeto in the fuge and have some small pieces of LR that I didn't have a place for in the DT. The sump / fuge is doing it's job, there is very little algae in the DT and the sump is getting a bit of algae. There is also quite a pod population.

I think it's time to add a CUC to the sump. So far I've moved a couple turbo snails to the fuge, and may move a couple more because I don't think there is enough for them to eat in the DT (a good problem to have I think). What else can I add to help keep the sump cleaner. If it gets too clean will I start to have more growth in the DT.

Where else in the sump can I put a CUC? Return chamber? Equipment chamber? Anything specific to avoid.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Where else in the sump can I put a CUC? Return chamber? Equipment chamber? Anything specific to avoid.

I would suggest keeping typical cleanup crew critters out of any compartments that have mechanical equipment - pumps, filters, float switches, skimmers, etc. It's too easy for an errant crab or snail to really screw that stuff up.

 

[IronMan72]

Thanks for the advice der_wille_zur_macht.

What critters does everyone else use in their sump and where do you keep them? What precautions do you take against to protect against rebel snails and crabs? Is it best to move part of the CUC from the DT to the sump or does the lack of algae indicate a right sized CUC in the DT? Should I even be worrying about the growth in the sump, after all, it's growth here means that it's not in the DT?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

algae growth in a lit 'fuge is desirable. Remove excess algae manually. This is also referred to as 'harvesting'. CUC's should be avoided in a 'fuge.

 

[IronMan72]

algae growth in a lit 'fuge is desirable. Remove excess algae manually. This is also referred to as 'harvesting'. CUC's should be avoided in a 'fuge.

Thank you Gary, this was one of the things I was trying to determine. The more I thought about it, the more I kept thinking that it was counter productive to remove the algae faster than it has a chance to grow. The snails in the fuge have been cleaning small sections of the glass each day. These sections have grown over within the next couple of days before they have gotten back to that section. It appears that they are not quite able to keep up with the new growth. Can this justbe considered an automated means of harvesting. As long as they aren't eating faster than it is growing then aren't they just extending the amount of time between manual harvests or am I still missing the point?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Can this justbe considered an automated means of harvesting.

IMHO, no, because they're pooping in your tank. The point of harvesting algae from a refugium is to remove the nutrient load from the system. CUC can help make a tank look "pretty" but they don't really help with nutrient removal, other than the tiny bit they actually use, and the fact that they put the stuff back in the water column where skimmers/etc. can get to it.

Also, to reinforce what I said above, I really hesitate to put anything motile in a 'fuge that's larger than a pod. Snails and crabs can cause equipment problems or block plumbing if they decide to go for a walk over to the next compartment.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

IMHO, no, because they're pooping in your tank. The point of harvesting algae from a refugium is to remove the nutrient load from the system. CUC can help make a tank look "pretty" but they don't really help with nutrient removal, other than the tiny bit they actually use, and the fact that they put the stuff back in the water column where skimmers/etc. can get to it.

Also, to reinforce what I said above, I really hesitate to put anything motile in a 'fuge that's larger than a pod. Snails and crabs can cause equipment problems or block plumbing if they decide to go for a walk over to the next compartment.

x2

 

[IronMan72]

Thanks guys, back to the DT they go. It's sometimes difficult to make wise decisions when the livestock retailers are marketing special packages of CUC's for your sump. I understand that they just want to sell their product but it's hard to support those companies that demonstrate such lack of responsibility. At least there are plenty of successful reef keepers willing to guide the rest of us.:beer:

 

[Sophie10]

This helped me, and it was posted aver a year ago! Thanks all!