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05/04/2012, 08:58 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posts: 351
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Do I need a refuge?
I have carbon and GFO running in reactors and was wondering if I should use a refuge with macro algae. My cheato looks to be dying after I added GFO. I also have live rock which is good for pods but is it worth keeping in my sump? My sump is kinda cramped and would be nice to free up room.
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180 Gallon Mixed Reef |
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05/04/2012, 09:11 AM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: elmhurst, il
Posts: 1,800
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my chaeto stopped growing and died a little when I first started GFO and +/-carbon.
Now after 2 months, it started growing again. I don't know. I think if you have issue with nuisance algae, keep it. if not, don't. but you might have to go back to it if the algae pops up.
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I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, custom 29g remote display, ATB elegance, ATB 1800 flowstar, mp40(2)- one failed wetside, mp10(2), remote 55g crytic fuge |
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05/04/2012, 01:24 PM
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#3 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 65
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You don't really need a refugium if you don't want one. It's just a matter of preference and what you are trying to accomplish.
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05/04/2012, 01:25 PM
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#4 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 65
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If you want to keep fish that need pods to survive would be a good example.
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05/04/2012, 01:37 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 1,688
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they are great way to export excess nutrients like nitrates and phosphates - I know you have a reactor for phosphates but what are you doing to control nitrates outside of the skimming?
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SALINITY NOW.... |
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05/04/2012, 02:43 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,343
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"Need" is too strong a word. It seems your system is handling nitrates and phosphates fine, if you chaeto is dying and you still do not have an excess of phosphates/nitrates. So, for your case, no, you do not need a refugium.
Here's one thing to consider, though. Why not get rid of the GFO/reactor? A refugium is self sustaing, costs nothing, natural, and if properly done will control your nitrates and phosphates without need for GFO/reactor. A refugium can also grow pods and other critters that can feed yoour fish and coral, again, essentially for free!!
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Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 30g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam |
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05/04/2012, 03:08 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo!
Posts: 1,765
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^+1. And you can use it to keep fish in as well. Like when trying to get rid of/sell a fish you don't want anymore.
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Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. I wish my chrome dude would take frags for trade! Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... you must be right |
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