What to put in Refugium LOG? 180 gal display tank (pics)

[Brent Thomann]

The tank has had water in it for about 3 weeks now. Pretty much was already cycled from the 220 lbs LR I added that I had in my basement for 4 months soaking while I build the stand/canopy/setup/etc.

Now I'm at the point to start working on my refuge. What should I put in it? There's between 15 & 20 gals of water in it. My nitrate levels is usually around 10 but has gone up to 20 if it makes a difference. I'm going to do mix reef/fish. Already have 3 blue chromis and 2 clowns-percs.

I'm still pretty new to the hobby and would really appreciate someone to take the time to work with me on getting my refuge setup. I'll listen and read all your feedback. Thank You, Brent

Here's some recent pic's - 180 gal, 40L gal sump/refuge (still setting things up and yes I have a background, just haven't put it up yet.)
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/16.jpg
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/11.jpg

[Dan Thrash]

thats 220lbs of live rock?!?! looks like about 50lbs....

anyway, i'm a believer in the deep sand bed, so if it was me, i would put about 6" of sand (can be southdown or none live sand with just one bag of live sand to seed it), along with a few pieces of live rock and some clumps of cheato. thats it. simple!

[mg426]

Do what Dan says and you cant go wrong.I will really help with nitrate export. Try here for chaeto www.benthosfarms.com

[Brent Thomann]

thanks guys! Thats a lot similar than I thought. So I don't need to put any live species in it. For some reason I was under the impression I had to so I built it so that even a small snail couldn't escape from it.

Does anyone know anywhere else online I can find chaeto macro algae online? benthosfarms.com isn't currently taking orders. I don't know one person either that owns a fish tank yet alone a saltwater tank. would make the hobby more fun now that I think about it!

and yes thats 220 lbs of live rock or more! 60 lbs of it is just hirock which was laid down right on the glass bottom so you don't even see a lot of it. The photo also makes the tank look a lot smaller then it really is. Here's another photo- http://partydamage.com/fishtank/09.jpg Total Height is 7' 1"

[bgreenlee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6662970#post6662970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by humpn247
thanks guys! Thats a lot similar than I thought. So I don't need to put any live species in it. For some reason I was under the impression I had to so I built it so that even a small snail couldn't escape from it.

Does anyone know anywhere else online I can find chaeto macro algae online? benthosfarms.com isn't currently taking orders. I don't know one person either that owns a fish tank yet alone a saltwater tank. would make the hobby more fun now that I think about it!

and yes thats 220 lbs of live rock or more! 60 lbs of it is just hirock which was laid down right on the glass bottom so you don't even see a lot of it. The photo also makes the tank look a lot smaller then it really is. Here's another photo- http://partydamage.com/fishtank/09.jpg Total Height is 7' 1"

How do you treat a tank for that small little predator in the pic?

[jcarnahan12]

you are right, the first pic is very deceiving!

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6663482#post6663482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bgreenlee
How do you treat a tank for that small little predator in the pic? Hostess makes a complete line of products that takes care of them instantly!


I new I forgot something. What about lighting? Would like the lowest wattage route. That was my big thing while building this setup. I did a lot of research on keeping the wattage down. I'm down to only 2 pumps (total 100 watts) running everything outside of the tank and only 17 watts running my internal water flow which is 2 DIY MJ900 Maxi-streams putting out over 3000gph. He's the link http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=717034 if interested. The photo above was taken before I added the maxi-streams.

[hans1976]

I use a 65W flood light from Lights of America. 6800 lumens.

If you fuge was out side of your tank area, might want to add Mangroves to help pull out Nitrates. That is what I will be doing.