What do you stock in your refugiums...

[Nuuze]

Hi All,

I'm about to build another sump out of a 20L tank to replace my existing sump to add a refugium. I was wonder what everyone is putting in? Reading Melevsreef I know you put some sand, rubble rock and calerpa algae but how much? My refugium area will be about 10" X 12. Anything else I should be adding? I also saw the light used on his site so I will be stopping by home depot... Also what exactly is calerpa algae and what does it do? I will post some before and after pics once I get closer to completion.

Nuuze

[matthewdmueller]

I use maricle mud in my refugium plus some live sand. I also like to grow mangroves in there too, makes it look like a shallow zone. The algea you can usually get from a LFS. I grow some of that too but you have to make sure that you keep it away from any drains or pumps or it will grow right into it!

[rickh]

I have a little sand--less than 1" and a big wad of Chaeto floating. I added a Turbo snail to keep glass clean, just make sure he can't get sucked into anything:) R

[DiViNeLeFT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8286766#post8286766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
Hi All,

Also what exactly is calerpa algae and what does it do?

Nuuze

this is a macroalgae wich is grown in the fuge to compete with nuisance algae. basically it steals food from the bad stuff so the bad stuff wont grow quickly. macroalgaes are a lot easyer to control since they can be ripped or cut out of the tank to export nutrients and also tend to not pop up everywhere like a nuisance algae does.

[Nuuze]

What do mangroves do? Also adding a few hermits help with keeping it tidy?

[Tang Salad]

Mangroves also help with nutrient export, however they do this very, very slowly. They aren't nearly as efficient as macroalgaes for this because they grow so slowly. Many people add them simply because they look nice.

I have a 5" DSB, small LR rubble pile, chaeto and caulerpa in my refugium. It's lit 24/7.

[Nuuze]

Is caulerpa liks chaeto?

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297861#post8297861 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
Is caulerpa liks chaeto?

They are both macroalgaes, but chaeto is preferred by most people because it's more stable, and has less chance of releasing nutrients back into the water.

[Nuuze]

Good to know, thanks!

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297970#post8297970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
Good to know, thanks!

You're welcome.
Have fun!

[mg426]

I use Chaeto and LR in mine.