Fuge Contents

[fadec40]

I am ready to set a refugium up.
What should I put in the fuge?
Live sand?
Sand with live rock?
Sand with caleurpa algae?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[hurt]

Personally IMO, #1 and #2, but not #3. I'd try and stay away from the Caulerpa's. They can go sexual if not constantly pruned and lit 24/7. I'd go with Chaetomorpha as your macroalgae.

 

[fadec40]

Thanks for the reply!
Do most LFS sell this Chaetomorpha?

 

[nuddybuddy]

what happens when Caulerpa goes sexual?

 

[fadec40]

where does one get Chaetomorpha?

 

[vito525]

I agree, LS, LR and Cheato......You can post a message in the classified or search "refugium" on the famous auction site. I found a guy close to me and when i needed some it was here in a day.

 

[ccws]

Originally Posted by nuddybuddy
what happens when Caulerpa goes sexual?

It will drop the O2 levels in your tank and can suffocate your animals.

 

[thegrog]

Plus when it goes sexual, your water gets really cloudy.
Go with other macro algae. I use gracillarius (sp?). AKA "tang heaven". Great for feeding to tangs as well.
Definately go with the live sand and rock. Go with a DSB of sugar-fine sand if possible. Will help with reducing nitrates.

 

[thegrog]

Oh yea, if it is shallow enough, put a few mangroves in there. They will drop your nitrates to zero in no time!!!

 

[nuddybuddy]

thank you for the answers I will get some mangroves and gracilarius(sp)

 

[<3thefish]

Are you supposed to add a small clean up crew in a fuge?

 

[fadec40]

thanks all for the responses.

 

[thegrog]

Originally Posted by <3thefish
Are you supposed to add a small clean up crew in a fuge?
I do. Not much of one, but they are in there. Intentionally added some Nassarius snails to stir up the DSB, but baby snails found their way in there on their own. No hermits, they may affect the pod population.

 

[hurt]

TheGrog, I have to respectfully disagree with the comment about the mangroves. I had three and they barely grew, the exact opposite of my chaetomorpha. From what I have read you have to alot (20+) of mangroves to really see any difference. They also seem to make Mg levels drop.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/182783/help-nitrates-too-high
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/166847/mangroves
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/128909/best-macro
Fadec-you can buy them on the online auction site for $5.