fuge in the back of a 29g biocube?

[NateDogg]

So.. I have heard different opinions about converting the back of a biocube into a fuge. I don't have any problems with my tank. I am very happy with it right now. Would removing the bioballs and making a fuge be a bad idea or a good one?

Right now the tank is stock. I replaced my 10k light with a 50/50 (looks great) and I have an oceanic skimmer. I thought about this as a way to increase my copepod population. I don't ever see that many in my tank and I would like to change that for my mandrin's sake.

I would love to hear the pros, cons, and even ideas.

btw, the tank is about a year old.

[JimD]

Thats a fairly small tank and youre probably not seeing many pods because of the Manderin. Any extra realestate that can be used for pod propogation is a good idea and a refugium serves more than that purpose, its also a place to grow macro algae for nutrient export. Removing the bio balls slowly over a period of time is recommended, you can always exchange them for good, established live rock rubble. Refugiums are a whole worl in themselvs.

[RayAllen]

Do not do either the bioballs or the fuge. I think the best thing to do is feel the back with Live Rock Rubble. When I had my BC29 I did this and had a explosion of zillions of copepods and feather dusters and all sorts of beneficial critters. Im buying another BC 29 and will be doing this myself.

[NateDogg]

Do not do either the bioballs or the fuge. I think the best thing to do is feel the back with Live Rock Rubble. When I had my BC29 I did this and had a explosion of zillions of copepods and feather dusters and all sorts of beneficial critters. Im buying another BC 29 and will be doing this myself.
did the copepods make it to the main tank? The only way for them to return would be through the pump and I didn't think that would work.