Some help with my refugium.

wfo115

wfo115

Member
I just finished a swap from a 47 gallon with no sump to a 75 gallon with a sump. I got all the pumps and skimmer working good with very few microbubbles. The sump is a 30 gallon long and my question is do I have to much live rock in the refugium or not enough or should i put some of it in the intake side or the middle output. Also does it look like I have enough macro algae? There isnt to much flow in the refugium area so I worry that the live rock will become too much of a dead spot. Any input in my setup would be greatly appreciated. Also the refugium area is 12" x 15" x 10"


 
mkzimms

mkzimms

Member
you could really put as much or as little rock in there as you want, its just a supplement for what you have in the DT. it looks like you dont have much in the DT so maybe you should up the amount you have in the sump. it doesn't really matter where you put it, just pop it in there wherever, it will do its job wherever it is. if your worried about detritus buildup in the dead spots around the rocks just put a power head in there to move the water a little better. i have a maxi 400 in mine. you definitely do not have too much macro, in my 20L sump i have clumps of cheato the size of basketballs. there really isn't a rule on macro amounts. when it starts to overflow and get real cramped just trim it and throw it away or sell it in ziplocs for like $10. dont bother going to buy more... with that light you have on there it will grow soon enough.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
i agree with mkzimms. i hear that chaeto likes a strong flow. some say it does best being tumbled by the water. the flow in my refugium is pretty fast i guess, but the chaeto doesn't move much, so i don't know how true that is. it does grow fast. i trade my overgrowth in at the LFS for credit. last week i got a 60 dollar credit for just macros!
i would get more lr for the display though.
 
wfo115

wfo115

Member
one other question should I have a few critters in the refugium and if so what would be a good start maybe a couple hermits and some snails? Thanks for the advise.
 
mkzimms

mkzimms

Member
a few nassarious to stir the sand, and maybe an emerald crab. thats all i have in mine. you dont want too much in there because the flow will not be high enough to stir the detritus they leave behind. so only functional critters.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
if you truly want it to be a place, free of predation, that macroalgae and pods can grow, i wouldn't add anything. you don't have a sandbed so nassarious snails won't work either.
 
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