What goes in the refugium?

[seagirl]

Am am building my sump/fuge now. what is the best items to go in it? I will have a 4"-5" sand bed (fuge area is 12"x12") no sand in display(bb)

I was thinking some naurisis snails(not sure how many), chaeto, anything else? do i need more critters or different algae?
Thanks for opinions

 

[rustybucket145]

some rock rubble is a great addition it will house a tremendous amount of pods and worms. Various snails and hermits will also be just fine.

 

[rustybucket145]

just add a couple at a time and add more as the need arises.

 

[Gooli]

seagirl...im speaking from experience....rubble live rock and cheato - done. that will achieve two purposes...lowering nitrates and a place for pods and other life to mutiply. I wouldnt bother with the sand.

 

[Waxxiemann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9316363#post9316363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gooliver
seagirl...im speaking from experience....rubble live rock and cheato - done. that will achieve two purposes...lowering nitrates and a place for pods and other life to mutiply. I wouldnt bother with the sand.

Even with a bare bottom? I think I'd probably go with the sand if it were me.

 

[Waxxiemann]

But you're not me

 

[Gooli]

"Even with a bare bottom? I think I'd probably go with the sand if it were me."

Why?

 

[rustybucket145]

I wouldnt bother with the sand.

I definately would bother with the sand. 100% bare bottom tank, you're gonna need that extra de-nitrification stability.

 

[Waxxiemann]

thats what I was thinking.

 

[seagirl]

how much rubble? like a couple pounds? would 10 -20 snails and maybe 10 hermits be ok?

 

[Gooli]

My bare bottom 180G tank = Zero Nitrates, Zero Phosphates

What works for me - Live rock, good skimmer, cheato in sump - That's it. Hope this helps.

PS. Different things work for different people...so im not saying sand is bad...just sharing my experience and success with the paramaters.

 

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9316482#post9316482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seagirl
how much rubble? like a couple pounds? would 10 -20 snails and maybe 10 hermits be ok?
the sand i was looking at comes in 20lb. bags, will i need 2 fro that size area?
Thanks for evryone's help on this

 

[seagirl]

is rock rubble just small pices of live rock or is it something different?

 

[rustybucket145]

is rock rubble just small pices of live rock or is it something different?

Yup, just pieces of live rock. The LFS will usually give them to you b/c they can't really sell them for anything. Just ask nicely while making a purchase and I bet they'll throw it in. (they sometimes throw it away)

how much rubble? like a couple pounds? would 10 -20 snails and maybe 10 hermits be ok?
the sand i was looking at comes in 20lb. bags, will i need 2 fro that size area?

Play Sand from Lowes will do the same exact thing for a fraction of the cost (50lb bag $3 at lowes). Amount of rubble varies and is really up to you. There is no 'rule' just put in whatever you think looks nice. I just scatter some on the bottom, over time it will get submerged in the sand so I add more. Snails and hermits are totally up to you, just make sure they have enough to eat. I would add a couple at a time until you reach a nice balance. If starved your hermits will turn on your snails.

 

[seagirl]

thanks for the help, i really appreciate it.
one last question, is there any way to add the sand w/o making tank water cloudy for a long time? can i rinse it somehow or let it sit in container.

 

[rustybucket145]

yes, rinse it out with a hose in a bucket. yes, add the sand first and then slowly add the water to it or sit a rock on it and pour the water onto the rock and let the rock diffuse it.

 

[seagirl]

thanks that will save a ton of $$$ for me. the sand i was looking at was $30 for 20# bag. Guess i'm off to lowes lol

 

[rustybucket145]

be sure to wash it out good, it tends to come with roots/organics..etc.

 

[rustybucket145]

Oh, and you can send a check for the amount you saved to..... hehe, jk. glad to help. What part of the country you located in?

 

[seagirl]

michigan. what do you mean roots? like from a tree when they dug it up? i'm guessing it's too fine to use in a strainer, whats the best way to do this?