whats in your refugium?

[p00num3lli]

time for another question yet again from the newbi:bigsmile:

i have turned the back of my tank into a refugium. i am going to want about 6-7 fish in my 75 gal when im done adding fish. i need to know all what goes into refugiums. i have 4 pieces of LR in there already all about 2 pounds. some chaeto/some other algea. what kind of substrate should i use? miracle mud? im wanting to bring my nitrates down also...

thanks

[Jonthefishguy]

My refugium is setup with broken sea shells about one inch thick. A 3 inches of Carib sea Mineral Mud. Finally, I have 18 mangroves planted in the mud along with cheato. The refugium is 35 gallons.

[p00num3lli]

ok.. thanks man, i thought no1 was going to give help

[drgnbttrfly]

reef sand
live rock
snails..3
chaeto
red macro
red hermits 2

still trying to find decent macro

my mean nemo is grounded and was put in there till further notice for bullying the maroon

[joelb]

euro reef skimmer, 100lbs of live rock, aregonite (however u spell it), chaeto, crabs, some mushrooms, light and circulation.

[CoryDude]

I've got a poodle, my mother-in-law, and Jimmy Hoffa's body in my refugium.

J/K. I was just checking out this thread 'cause I want to set one up myself.

[Mr Cob]

I have:

-Super Skimmer
-Heater
-Small 300gph powerhead
-4" of live sand (aragonite)
-10 pounds of crushed coral for the pods to populate
-Lots of Chaeto
-Dragon's Breath algae
-20 pounds of live rock
-a few crabs and a few snails
-28watt 50/50 PC light fixture

[bronck83]

40 lbs of aragonite sand(5-6"). 20-25 lbs rock. Just set it up, still contemplating what macro to add.

[MissT]

I like Red Sea Reef Base Aragonite spheres for the substrate... chaeto, codium, and dragon's breath as far as macro algae, and you can not go wrong with putting in some xenia - it takes a ton of waste out of the water, and you can get some store credit for the frags when you trim it back.

[p00num3lli]

what size of sand should i use to keep my water nitrate free and to help me have a heavily stocked tank? like big pieces of crushed coral? or sugar sized?

[p00num3lli]

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http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20070117223231/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/dot_clear.gif http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20051017132432/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/buttons/icon_largerview_091405.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popupWin1('/product/detailed_image.cfm?pCatId=7322&large=/images/Categoryimages/larger/lg_967065_17658.jpg', 50, 50, 444, 479))http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20070117223231/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/dot_clear.gif http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20050914195936/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/buttons/icon_sendtoafriend_091405.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popupWin2('/dfs_send_to_friend.cfm?pcatid=7322',34,34,350,300, 'scrollbars=no'))http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20070117223231/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/dot_clear.gif http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20070117223231/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/dot_clear.gif http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20070404154900/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/buttons/b_readreviews_091405.gif (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/supplemental/customer_comments.cfm?pcatid=7322) Florida Crushed Coral

The only crushed coral with aragonite, which provides up to 25 times the buffering power of other crushed corals, dolomite, or oyster shell. Will eliminate chronic pH problems and provide maximum surface area for water purifying bacteria. Allows an increase in bioload by up to 50% and it will never need to be replaced. Can be used with calcium, but also carbonate buffer and essential trace elements such as strontium (up to 10,000 ppm). Mixed Grade. Grain size: 2.0 -5.5mm.

[p00num3lli]

what do yall think about that stuff, says it gives you a 50% better bioload, which is what i want

[coraline79]

I have 3inch sand bed, sugar sized, a ton of live rubble, and then the remainder is filled w/ cheato.

[RayAllen]

Sand, rubble, Macro, Mangroves and snails.

[Ping]

Crushed coral will eventually be the cause of nitrate problems . The buffering info is from Aquarium science of the early 1980's.

Sugar fine sand is the best substrate for a refugium.

I have 3 refugiums. One, a 55 with a DSB, LR, and Xenia. The other two are 20L's, one with a DSB, a mix of Cheato and Grape Caulerpa on a 24 hour light cycle, the other has a one inch bed of sugar fine sand with cheato on a day lighting cycle.

All Have some Live Rock, and I put a new small piece of freshly cured rock in each tank about every six months.

If I could afford it, I would have a DSB of Miracle Mud in the 55 gallon. Miracle Mud is great stuff, just very expensive. The good thing is we can get most of the benefits of the mud with a DSB of sugar fine sand that is recharged occasionally with freshly cured live rock.

[Jonthefishguy]

I have for years always used sugar sized in my personal aquarium and many aquariums that I have setup for customers. I say it is an excellent choice and will continue to use it.

[subsailor]

homeade miracle mud, rock ruble, razor calurpa, chaeto, 15 mangroves and thats about it

[ErikH]

Crushed coral will eventually be the cause of nitrate problems .


Took the words right out of my fingers. Ping = golden advice.

In my sumpfuge I have my ER RS 135, a heater set to 72 degrees, 4 to 6" of sand, and about 60 lbs of LR. The more rock and sand you add, the better the biological filtration. I always tell people that are new to resist the urge of fish. If you see a fish you can afford, buy some live rock instead.

[RayAllen]

Crushed coral will eventually be the cause of nitrate problems . The buffering info is from Aquarium science of the early 1980's.

Sugar fine sand is the best substrate for a refugium.

I have 3 refugiums. One, a 55 with a DSB, LR, and Xenia. The other two are 20L's, one with a DSB, a mix of Cheato and Grape Caulerpa on a 24 hour light cycle, the other has a one inch bed of sugar fine sand with cheato on a day lighting cycle.

All Have some Live Rock, and I put a new small piece of freshly cured rock in each tank about every six months.

If I could afford it, I would have a DSB of Miracle Mud in the 55 gallon. Miracle Mud is great stuff, just very expensive. The good thing is we can get most of the benefits of the mud with a DSB of sugar fine sand that is recharged occasionally with freshly cured live rock.

Peter Im a big fan of your 55g REfugium with xenia, Was very impressed when I saw it in person.