What All Do I Need In My Refugium?

[matt b]

i already have about 2 or 3 inch of refugium mud in there but what else do i need i no some cheato and lr but anything else??????

 

[matt b]

any1???

 

[hefner413]

some critters )

 

[matt b]

well duh but what all de i need to get the critters

 

[miaheatlvr]

Get some chaeto, maybe out a piece of LR on top of the MUDD and also buy some pods to kickstart the fuge.. hows the lighting and flow?

 

[matt b]

the lights are 3 little PC bulbs i think about 30 or 40 watts and the flow is kind strong

 

[matt b]

and do i just let the cheato flow freely or like stick a little bit under the rock so it will saty in 1 stop

 

[nycbob]

i just let the cheato sit there. i also hv 1 fish and a few snails in there.

 

[matt b]

ya its a huge refugium and my main tank is only 55 so i think i might do like a damsel or something some rock some cheato and some snails

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by MaTT B
ya its a huge refugium and my main tank is only 55 so i think i might do like a damsel or something some rock some cheato and some snails
DO NOT put a damsel in your fuge.. but DO get some pods to start a colony..

 

[matt b]

so should i not have any fish in the fuge?????

 

[nycbob]

fish is not necessary. i hv 1 fish in the fuge bc he was being harassed.

 

[matt b]

ok so im not gonna put1 in unless i need to

 

[al mc]

Things for a fuge/some already mentioned:
Live rock
Cheato/other macroalgae
Cleaner clams (they would like the mud you have)
Mangrove plant(s)
As nycbob indicated, a great place to place a harassed fish
You can kick start it with some pods, but unless you have a mandarin you will probably not need to as they will start to appear fairly soon after setting it up.
Also, if possible..if using a skimmer..try to make sure you skim the water before (not after) it has passed into the refugium...otherwise you will lose some of its value.

 

[matt b]

ya the way its set up my skimmer only fits in the return part so i just have it in my tank

 

[matt b]

and whats a mandarin

 

[al mc]

Mandarins are a type of fish that generally only eat 'pods'. Many people, myself included, feel that you need to have an aged tank (at least 6 months old) with about 75+ pounds of live rock in it or a very pod rich refugium to support them. They are very colorful, generally peaceful, little fish.

 

[matt b]

ok ya i looked then up they r nice fish but no im not going to do1 and if i do not for a long long time