in tank refugium

[wendy]

I just bought a small in tank refugium with an pump included. With the packaging it says not to add calupera because of the pump. I tried to add it and it just floats around and some of it comes out the top. Do you think the refugium will even be beneficial? Or should I send it back. This is new to me. I have a 46 bowfront. Thanks

 

[leigh]

a place to grow pods, even without caulerpa is beneficial. personally i'd suggest a separate sump/fuge system as I think that helped my system a ton. but even with the in tank, what i'd suggest is
first: go to your hardware store and get some fiberglass mesh (the type of stuff you use for window screens--just make sure it's the fiberglass kind, not metal) and wrap that around your pump. this will protect you (hopefully) from sucking any sand or caulerpa into the pump and thus damaging the pump.
second: get some caulerpa--perhaps a couple different kinds, and brace them with a rock or two--just wedge them between two rocks or put a little bit of a long strand under a rock. then you won't have caulerpa floating all around.
give this a try before you send it back, imo.
-leigh

 

[phoenixrising]

I don't think an in tank refugium is going to be good for much except perhaps isolating a fish. A Q tank is better for that though. If you use the search feature on the top right of the SWF site, you will find absolutely incredible amounts of information about refugiums. The topic has been covered inside out many many times. I think you will find it particularly helpful to read through the info. It is a gold mine of help! Just type in "refugium" and sit back with a nice cold Pepsi and enjoy hours worth of reading on your subject!