When to start my refugium???

[Guzzetta]

I started to cycle my 100 gallon tank a week ago with 180 LBS Aragamax / 20 LBS LS from a established tank / and about 150 lbs of somewhat cured LR with 3 good cured pieces. I have a 40 gallon sump/refugium. Do i set my refugium up now??? Add Cheto now??? Using a refugium is new to me and need some help.

Thanks in advance for all the good info

 

[joemama65]

Im new as well, but start it with your tank, because its apart of your cycleing process. I started it with my 90g first thing and added the cheeto a week later due to getting it a week later. From what i have learned a sump allows you to control water changes and water management in a seperate system, that allows you to keep fish stress levels to a minimum. furthermore it allows you to hide filters and other forms of tank device hidden away. So why not get it going. In my sump i have all my media and my skimmer, so what do u have going on your tank now? Best peive of advice is look up reef member Melev he is the sump master from what ive read and hear heres a link to check out
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html good luck

 

[Guzzetta]

I'm all about Melev's site and advice. I used his designed when i made my sump ( 40 long - 3 compartment - fuge/return/skimmer ) My fuge section is roughly 10 gallons and I stole Melev's plumbing design to regulate flow off my return line. What did you end up using in your fuge? Sand Depth? LR? Rubble? Cheeto?

 

[PRDubois]

NOW- but I would wait two weeks for the Cheeto

 

[Guzzetta]

The LFS suggests using mud instead of sand. Any input on this. Also with a 10 gallon fuge what is an appropriate sand depth?

 

[turretdr]

"Mud" is supposed to have tons of bacteria, IMO extremely expensive and unnecessary. Sand depth depends but, 4 - 6 inches deep.

 

[PRDubois]

I would not pay for Mud

 

[rrcg50]

i would not waste your money on mud. the deeper the sand the better. i would go at least 6 inches and then just float the chaeto on top of that. my dsp in the fuge is 9 inches and it never gets touched(no stirring).