TBS in a fuge

[Basketcase]

I have decided to go about this backasswards from what it seams everyone else does. I am setting up my fuge before I set up main tank. I am going to be running a 30 gal fuge ona a 75 gal main with a 30 gal sump (had a couple spare tanks laying around). My question is this, can I put your product in the fuge and if so how much of it versus a normal tank? I have heard that in a fuge you should go dsb and little rock. I am new to salt side of hobby so be gentle please. My wafe has said that if I can make the 75 rock like my freshwaters than I can convert my 250 to salt in a couple of years.

PS came by over thanksgiving weekend and love the store. MY buddy witht he big tanks may be placing an order soon.

 

[Basketcase]

Cant edit and didnt proofread. Now my WIFE is torked because I cant spell wife.

 

[landlord]

hahahahhahahahahahha

 

[Basketcase]

Amother edit. My wife has said to make the spare 75 a fuge so I will be cutting and bending "plexi" tommorow and drilling/cutting the glass if need be. Same questions apply. Also need to know what "critters" to put in fuge. Thanks all.

 

[Basketcase]

Damn bourban. Now I can't spell at all.

 

[hdtran]

Hang on a moment (and send me some of that 'bourban' ).

Do you mean:
(a) 75 g display, 75 g fuge, 30 g sump
(b) 75 g display, 75 g combined fuge/sump
(c) Another option I haven't covered

Fuges shouldn't have critters except for hitchhikers. Refugiums are places where macroalgae and pods can grow peacefully, ungrazed and uneaten by main tank fish or critters.

 

[Basketcase]

This will be option a. The top of the fuge will sit 8 inches higher than the display tank. Thereby giving me direct flow into the display and my sump will have heaters, pumps, and protien skimmer in it. I am currently configuring the auto top up system with a spare 30 gal hex. I was told that some snail were to be raised in fuge for them to breed also.

 

[hdtran]

Snails in fuge are great. Basically, you want detritivores & filter feeders in your refugium, but no predators (for example, no crabs; definitely no fish). Clams are fine too. Macroalgae are great, especially species such as Gracilaria, Halimeda, etc.

Fenner/Calfo's "Reef Invertebrates" has a very good chapter on refugiums.

For your plan (a), I'd think very seriously about putting in about 3-4" of aragonite sand, then, adding 1-1.5" of TBS LS (which is full of worms, baby stars, etc.), and a substantial quantity of TBS LR (plain LR, not deco or coral, maybe 35# for a 75 g fuge?). Sounds like you're local, so you can pick the less good looking stuff . Rubble size is fine too. My inclination, since it's not a show tank, is lots of apple-to-grapefruit sizes. Then, plant your refugium with macroalgae, light it, & zoom!