Refugium

[legalreefer]

What is the best to put in a refugium to make the best of it? Sand, macroalgea, lighting, critters, etc. Thanks!

 

[dakota9]

Yes, yes, yes and yes!


A DSB is best. Any macro other than Halimeda is good, worms and other detrius eaters are best, and lighting in the 6500 Kelvin range (ran reverse of the main tank) all work best....

 

[cr500_af]

If you don't mind my jumping in, what is the drawback to halimeda?

 

[weaglereefer]

It will suck up some calcium.

 

[dakota9]

cr500_af;366996 wrote: If you don't mind my jumping in, what is the drawback to halimeda?

The only nutrient Halimeda will suck up is calcium. It does very little as far as absorbing nutrient that creates nussance algae.

 

[legalreefer]

Can I use nonlive aragonite sand for it? Can I steel a little bit of the live sand in the DT to seed it?

 

[dakota9]

Dead sand is fine, it will just take a few months to be benefical to your tank.

If the fuge is connected to your main display, you dont have to worry about seeding it, as it is already receiving a constant supply of seed bacteria

 

[weaglereefer]

Dakota9;367006 wrote: The only nutrient Halimeda will suck up is calcium. It does very little as far as absorbing nutrient that creates nussance algae.

Looks nice though. I have some in my 10 and 1 gallon W/C every 3-4 days seems to be enough to keep up with its calcium needs. I did notice if I slack to 7-8 days on a WC that the tips of the Halimeda turn white.

 

[dakota9]

I have it too, it is pretty, but for the most part, purely ornamental, as fish don't eat it, and it removes no problem nutrient.

 

[legalreefer]

Thanks for all the info guys. Is there a florescent that is around the 6500 range? I have a bunch of 10g lights lying around.

 

[dakota9]

Yeah, they make them........ Just look for the ugliest yellow light you can get... Plants love that spectrum. If this is a show fuge, they'll do as bout as well under 10K and still look visually appealing

 

[legalreefer]

Nope its under the stand. No one will see unless they are looking at the setup. Thanks again!!!

 

[hn1]

LegalReefer;367018 wrote: Thanks for all the info guys. Is there a florescent that is around the 6500 range? I have a bunch of 10g lights lying around.

Look for a bulb marketed to FW planted tanks. They are cheap and will fit a cheesy stock kit fixture (which is fine unless your fuge is a "display fuge"). If you need a fixture for one, let me know. I have several of various sizes and you're more than welcome to one.

 

[hn1]

Dang I type slow....

 

[legalreefer]

Hooked Newbie;367030 wrote: Dang I type slow....

Haha. Thanks but I have a billion fixtures lying around!!