Refugium yes or no?

[Lisaod12]

I'm thinking of setting up an algae scrubber type refugium on the back of my tank.

Do any of you guys have them?

Do you like it?

What problems has you seen?

What algae should be used?

I was reading that these can be bad for a tank, toxic stuff from the plants, green water ect.

I don't want to do it if I will not get a good deal of benifit from it. I do have a wonder skimmer which works great, but always want better water.

All thoughts welcomed.
Thanks

[matt]

I don't know much about the "hang on" refugiums, but I can tell you from experience that growing caulerpa in a sizable refugium gives you a convenient way of exporting phosphates, and in a tank your size, nitrates as well. (Your sand bed may be a bit too small to process much nitrate) The thing is, you need a decent size refugium to make that much of a difference, like 10-20 gallons would be great. Most people consider the main reason for refugiums is to produce infauna and epifauna for the sand and rock, though. Algae turf scrubbers are something different I think, even though the idea is the same; grow algae which sequesters nutrients, etc. They're probably a lot smaller.

HTH

Matt

[Tim Marvin]

From what I understand water runs across the algae scrubbers, rather than being submerged. Refugiums work great, just like Matt said! I have been doing the fuge for some time now with no problems. With the reactor and refugium the tank has been extremely stable.

[Bigreefer]

I believe algae scrubbers grow micro algae therefore must only 1/2 inch deep. refugiums use Marco algae. although both algae's serve the same purpose, refugiums have the advantage of allowing a deep sand bed for additional de-nitrification.

[Charley]

I just purchased an EcoSystem 40 to go on my 65g tank, along with a SeaLifeSystems sump and skimmer. Do I run Caulerpa in it, or do I run something else? I have some “dragon’s breath” at the store, that is free floating (does not appear to have any holdfasts). Is this a better alternative? Like Lisa, I am trying to learn something new.

Charley

[JimD]

Lisa, Charley,
I strongly recommend using some sort of refugium/eco-system, not only for scrubbing but for export also, I use a hang-on fuge on my 65, with no sand and a little rock rubble, using chaetamorpha (spaghetti caulerpa) exclusively, it wont go a-sexual and pollute your system and has no steadfasts. Once it got established, my skimmer barely pulls any gunk and has been reduced to a simple airation device. Refugiums are a wonderfull, natural way to keep your water perams in check.
HTH
Jim

[Charley]

Thanks for the info Jim. I pulled the EcoSystem out today to show a customer, it is pretty neat. Cannot wait until I have a tank to run it on (maybe the middle of next month).

Charley

[MikeP]

Charley - I will try to bring some macro algaes tomorrow you can hang on to for your ecosystem. Chaetomorpha is great but in the 40 if you prune it regularly caulerpa works just as well and grows faster. I'd go with C.serrulata (sawblade) or C.prolifera (the tall bladed caulerpa) as they are easier to prune and seem to melt down less often.

They reccomend bioballs in the front chamber of the Eco40 - not sure the methodology but it seems to work if you follow their setup guidelines.

[alexwolf]

i would love some help with someone figuring out how to get a refugium on my 37 eclipse.....any input would be great!!!

[Charley]

Yes, CPR has a small HOB refugium.

Charley

[alexwolf]

is it any good? I really need to do something.....also do you run both a skimmer and a refiguim?

[alexwolf]

hey man why dont you come by and see if you can help make it work?