New to the site

junito

junito

Member
Just wanted to say hi. I am in the process of setting up a 90G reef tank but it will first be FOWLR. I have some questions so hopefully this is the place to post them. I have a W/D from Pro Clear Aquatics model 175. I want to convert this into a refugium but I am not having any luck finding a thread or pics on how to. So if someone could help me out with the conversion or links on how to it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Junito http:///t/396626/new-to-the-site#post_3534084
Just wanted to say hi. I am in the process of setting up a 90G reef tank but it will first be FOWLR. I have some questions so hopefully this is the place to post them. I have a W/D from Pro Clear Aquatics model 175. I want to convert this into a refugium but I am not having any luck finding a thread or pics on how to. So if someone could help me out with the conversion or links on how to it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi,

Try posting in the DIY section...the guys who watch that section are real handy on sumps and refugiums and such...Welcome to the site!
 
junito

junito

Member
Okay so I have the tank filled with my ro di water. I made a refugium from a 20 long but still need to fill it with LR Sand and macro algae. Im gonna test the water and then hopefully be good add LR in my DT. Anything im skipping or should do. Thanks
 
junito

junito

Member
I was going to add LR live sand and macro algae to the refugium. I was told by the lfs and read it somewhere online that I can do it this way
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Junito http:///t/396626/new-to-the-site#post_3534522
I was going to add LR live sand and macro algae to the refugium. I was told by the lfs and read it somewhere online that I can do it this way


Hi,

I put sand and live rock in my refugium as well, everyone has their own way...but no deeper then 2 inches. What you failed to mention is your cycle...You do know to cycle the tank first before adding any living critters????

A chunk of raw shrimp should kick start everything off to a good direction. It's also a good time to set up a quarantine tank, you can't ever dose a reef with copper, so prevention is a real necessity, getting the ich parasite I just one of the potential nightmares.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/396626/new-to-the-site#post_3534616
I didn't know that you could put live sand in a fuge. I'll have to remember that.
Some take it even further.
and leave the display bare bottom with the sand in the refugium forming an external deep sea bed (dsb). I think it's called and external dsb.(edbs)
Idea is to keep the display "clean" and easier to maintain.
my .02
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
That could be true but I think it would take away the natural look of the display. Its worth the extra work.
 
junito

junito

Member
yes i am cycling the tank first. I have LR in it already since thursday and no lights, refugium are running yet. I will test my water tomorrow at work now so will keep everyone updated. I did put in a bottle of bacteria in it that the LFS reccommended. Its a LFS of just fish with a nice SW selection so the guys there know there stuff. Hopefully everything is on track with my tank and hopefully can add some more LR and LS soon. Im not in no rush to add fish cuz they not cheap lol
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Junito http:///t/396626/new-to-the-site#post_3534628
yes i am cycling the tank first. I have LR in it already since thursday and no lights, refugium are running yet. I will test my water tomorrow at work now so will keep everyone updated. I did put in a bottle of bacteria in it that the LFS reccommended. Its a LFS of just fish with a nice SW selection so the guys there know there stuff. Hopefully everything is on track with my tank and hopefully can add some more LR and LS soon. Im not in no rush to add fish cuz they not cheap lol


Hi,

My # golden rule...NEVER...EVER...ask the fish store people for advice...not on equipment, supplements, fish type/care, or how to kick start a cycle.... Go into the store knowing what you want or need.

Toss in a piece of raw shrimp...or...pour pure ammonia into the tank (found in any laundry isle at the supermarket)... or... ghost feed an invisible fish. Don't use a live fish, and the stuff called Cycle in a bottle is only useful after you go through about 2 or three bottles of it, and you still have to wait for the cycle to complete, just like using everything else, you just spent more money for it, which makes the fish store folks happy.

The only thing to test for is ammonia right now, you need it to spike at least to 1, for the cycle to begin. Then test for nitrites, when that drops to 0, test for nitrates. There is no reason to waste the tests by doing all of them.
 
junito

junito

Member
Everyone is going to have their own opinion of what works. He has multiple SW tanks up and running for years so I took his advice. Checked ammonia levels are 0.25 ph 8.2 nitrites 0. When should I hook up the refugium skimmer ans lights.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I go into a lfs and look around first... I can see that some owners really know what they are doing and others that absolutely have no clue by the quality of their display tanks.... I say to each his own. Good job Junito - listening to your gut instead of what various people tell you. ;)
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by Junito http:///t/396626/new-to-the-site#post_3534654
Everyone is going to have their own opinion of what works. He has multiple SW tanks up and running for years so I took his advice. Checked ammonia levels are 0.25 ph 8.2 nitrites 0. When should I hook up the refugium skimmer ans lights.

sometimes the api ammonia kit is hard to read at the lowest level and I always got a .25 ppm. I think it's a false reading.
hookup the refugium and add macro algae right from the start.
IMHO
my .02
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
There is really no need for a UV sterilizer, and there are good arguments that using one may be counterproductive. They don't really suppress parasites like ich sufficiently, but can knock out your copepod population, which are small animals that many fish love to pick on (and mandarin dragonettes rely on for survival). See if you can sell the sterilizer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top