So here's the update! it's been about 2 months since I turned a section of my sump into a refugium. I started with a few pounds of sand and a few pounds of live rock for surface area. I then purchased a couple different species of copepods from a local reefer to up my diversity along with 2 pieces of pom pom red algae. BTW I had no idea what I was doing.. pretty sure I still don't.
This tank was done cycling Jan 3 and 2 fish were added. Lighting schedule is 15/9 full spectrum and is 5" above water.
JANUARY 27TH
Fast forward a few days later, I received my mosaic macros order! Grape caulerpa, suction cup green algae, orange Galaxy and the bird's-nest.
JAN 30TH
FEBRUARY 18TH
I started noticing a small difference in the DT when it came to GHA and other nuisance algae not by much but it was a lot easier to blow off the rocks. That's one of the main reasons I started this garden as I didn't want to see the "new tank syndrome" ugliness as the tank is very young. At this point brown algae was out competing my macros so I tweaked my DT light schedule and used a baster to blast the brown algae off my green macros. They were the only ones effected.
MARCH 28TH
It's incredible and I would have never thought I would enjoy watching this ecosystem thrive.. I love my display tank but I honestly spend most my time in the floor watching my sump..
I've seen brittle stars, plenty of tubes and I have a butt load feather dusters some pink and red in color. Really hoping they get to be big
This tank was done cycling Jan 3 and 2 fish were added. Lighting schedule is 15/9 full spectrum and is 5" above water.
JANUARY 27TH
Fast forward a few days later, I received my mosaic macros order! Grape caulerpa, suction cup green algae, orange Galaxy and the bird's-nest.
JAN 30TH
FEBRUARY 18TH
I started noticing a small difference in the DT when it came to GHA and other nuisance algae not by much but it was a lot easier to blow off the rocks. That's one of the main reasons I started this garden as I didn't want to see the "new tank syndrome" ugliness as the tank is very young. At this point brown algae was out competing my macros so I tweaked my DT light schedule and used a baster to blast the brown algae off my green macros. They were the only ones effected.
MARCH 28TH
It's incredible and I would have never thought I would enjoy watching this ecosystem thrive.. I love my display tank but I honestly spend most my time in the floor watching my sump..
I've seen brittle stars, plenty of tubes and I have a butt load feather dusters some pink and red in color. Really hoping they get to be big
. Once had 120Gal w/ 34Gal display Refugium. It was really cool!
