Refugium question?

[rrcjr1972]

I have just received my refugium and was wondering what options I have for sand and rock. If I used rock that is no longer alive(been in storage for 3 months) and new sand, would this cause a cycle in my 144 gallon tank. I have no way of getting live sand from an established system, and my tank barely has enough now. What could I do? Thanx

 

[bojik]

if it is all totay inert. put hte sand in then seed a little from your DT if possible. The exLR clean it soak it in bleach then soak in FW and drain it off a few times. I dunno just what i'd do.

 

[rrcjr1972]

bump

 

[keith burn]

Originally Posted by RRCJR1972
I have just received my refugium and was wondering what options I have for sand and rock. If I used rock that is no longer alive(been in storage for 3 months) and new sand, would this cause a cycle in my 144 gallon tank. I have no way of getting live sand from an established system, and my tank barely has enough now. What could I do? Thanx

imo the best thang for refugium is Miracle Mud.
if refug is under 40gal new water and mud will work let mud sit about day and 1/2 and run.good luck

 

[am3gross]

i disagree about the miracle mud... there have been mixed reviews on the subject. one of the things i dont like is the fact that you have to change out half the mud every 6 months and add fresh in order for it to be effective. this is just my opinion. i would put live rock rubble sand and some type of macro algae. i would also have some crabs in there to eat some of the detris that the macro algae will pull out. again this is only my opionion and dont mean to be rude in any way.

 

[hardcrab67]

I set my refuge up w/ LS(lb) and LR(1/2lb) rubble from my tank and bought 2lbs of LS from my LFS to add to the existing sandbed. I have about 80lbs in my 55gal, which I could have just pulled it all from my DT, but decided to add some "fresh" to boost the whole system. The refuge is a 5 1/2gal because thats all I could fit under my cabinet, but the sandbed is 3" thick x 12" long and is very effective IMO. I can see the bubbling in the chaeto, so I know I'm getting a good exchange of gases. I trim the chaeto once a month.