Need advice on Fuge setup - pics

[cliscum]

<span style="font-family: &quot;">The goal in setting up my refugium was to grow a pod army to feed the fish in my display reef.

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Specs:</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">35g tall, drilled 3” below the top on one side. </span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">Lighting is a nova extreme x2 T5 2 x 39 watt, with a freshwater and 10k daylight bulb.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">Substrate is 3” deep Bahama Oolite sugar sized sand.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">The water enters and leaves the fuge from the pump section of my sump, such that pods will never be skimmed or filtered. Total approximate flow is 350 GPH.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">The algae was given to me by Brendon Price, it is a combination of chaeto and a few other types which I cannot name. </span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">I dose my fuge with DTs at the recommend dosage.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">I have added two containers of the DT’s live pods (a newer product). I have considered adding additional types of Zoo2, but am hoping to get a donated cup of live mud.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">Questions:</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: &quot;">What lighting cycle should I be running, right now it is 24/7, but I could have it run inversely to my display. Brendon suggested I run it 24/7.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: &quot;">Is a mixed chaeto algae the best option for growing pods?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: &quot;">Should I run separate types of algae, or even baffle my fuge and have a section that is just chaeto and another of just caulerpa algae?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: &quot;">Is there anything in particular I should be doing with my chaeto algae, or do I just let it sit there? I have seen many setups which have chaeto rolling, which I could create by baffling my fuge into sections… Is there an ideal size for a chaeto ball? Should I have multiple clumps or one giant ball?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: &quot;">Will my pods swim to the surface of my fuge and get sucked into my reef? How can I encourage this behavior and their growth? (I have considered isolating the fuge for a short time and heavily dosing DTs).</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: &quot;">Additionally, if anyone is willing to give me a scoop of their fuge mud in the Marietta area I would be very grateful.</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">Thanks,</span>
<span style="font-family: &quot;">-Charles</span>

 

[george]

24/7 lighting is fine.
Cheato is great for pods, but any plant that sloughs off edible material will do.
Don't bother separating the types. Just let it grow. No need to move it around or place it anywhere special as long as it doesn't block something.
The pods will multiply in there and naturally end up in greater quantites in the tank by sheer numbers.

Dosing DT's will feed the pods, but it's not really necessary once the population gets going and can get expensive. In the long run, it's easier to grow your own phytoplankton.

 

[cliscum]

My Fuge is making great progress. The algae has turned a very deep green color and is growing rapidly. Earlier it was light brown in areas and had brown algae growing on it in places.

My sand bed is showing no activity thus far...

Anyone in the Marietta area willing to share a cup of Fuge sand with me so that I may 'seed' my Fuge?

-Charles