Looking to liven-up my refugium. What's in yours?

[fredro]

So, nowadays, the refugium section of my sump consists of 1.5" of coarse agragate sand, 2 pieces of originally dried and cleaned dead rock, a heaping handful of chaeto, a very small amount of calerpa and 2 small hermits. I've seen a few pictures of refugiums out there that are quite a bit more exciting than mine. Besides the possibility of a mangrove or two, I'm kind of at a loss for ideas. I'm currently lighting my fuge with a SolarFlare 115w clip-on LED. This will hopefully be replaced by a Maxspect C35-A or Kessil a150 Amazon Sun light when I find $225 to blow (just because, that's why). What kind of fun stuff do you guys have in your fuge as far as contents and equipment? Someone inspire me...

 

[Mattl22]

Hair algae has started growing everywhere in mine which is fine by me long as it says outta display other then that cheto and dragons breath

 

[marrone]

I'm not sure why you're going with some expensive lighting for your refug. Basically a simple fixture, like a Lights of America and bulb, will work very well and is cheap, remember you're just trying to grow plants and micro algae not corals.

Basically my refug has a number of different micro algae, a couple of mangroves, and lots of pods, snails, worms and small critters. I also use it hold corals before I put them into the MT.

 

[fredro]

I'm not sure why you're going with some expensive lighting for your refug. Basically a simple fixture, like a Lights of America and bulb, will work very well and is cheap, remember you're just trying to grow plants and micro algae not corals.

Basically my refug has a number of different micro algae, a couple of mangroves, and lots of pods, snails, worms and small critters. I also use it hold corals before I put them into the MT.

Well, I absolutely hate the look of the cheap, basic lighting. I realize that it is just growing algaes, but the sleek look, controllability and elevated output are why I want it. I hadn't thought of it until I watched a video from BRStv on YouTube that showed a clown and anemone tank that they had set up and they lit the fuge with a Kessil a150. In the 20 seconds they dedicated to discussing the fuge, they noted the Awesome growth that they were getting from their chaeto, effectively keeping the nitrates low that would result from the high feeding schedule. It may be a little overkill, but the Amazon Sun and the Maxspect Celestial C35-A are both made to be able to be used in a fuge as their spectrums reflect. I like the sleek, compact look and the ability to control the light beyond the standard "On/Off" is what does it for me.
Here's the video, it's worth the watch, if you haven't already seen it:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/index/view/id/375/
Again, just a personal preference. I like to have the underside of my tank look as neat, fancy and clean as I strive to have the DT look. Some people like soft pipe and a Home Depot, contractor fixture inside their cabinet. Others want hard pipe, wire conduits and even possibly a programmable LED under there. Just what I think will look best on my tank.

 

[marrone]

Actually you would get awesome growth running a plant bulb or 6400k bulb, then again they are a store, so they are looking to sell things to you, as they could get similar, or better, results using a cheap fixture.

 

[fredro]

I understand, but this is a great looking, compact, sleek looking light, IMO.

 

[marrone]

Which is probably inside a cabinet, or stand, which has doors so you can see it anyway. You can buy a cheap fixture that will be as sleek and compact as that for a faction of the cost, and probably better for what it need s to do, which is grow micro algae.

 

[Reefinny]

I have a 40B fuge that is in my sump room. I am hanging a t5 with grow lights over it. I would like to change it up some. Not sure what I would do, but I think there are some creative ways to do a fuge and if you want a nice light - its your system go for it.

 

[piranhapat]

I have a 40B and decided to make it simply. Running a PS and two reactors and heater. Removed all LR and sock . Removed another plug which came from light fixer. System running much better and cleaner. Building a fuge using cheato ect, and Mud or sand with mangroves are pretty much useless. Unless you have a very big fuge. I find using GFO and Carbon is a better solution . Just my 2 cents...

 

[Silkyslim]

Guess I can't really call mine a refugium anymore but Ill share. I have a pair of clown fish in the from a tank breakdown that my daughter loves in there. And some how a pistol shrimp from my display made it there.

You can buy a sample algae pack the different species that helps

 

[Cu455]

I have a bunch of random stuff in my fuge that makes it intresting. The fuge has a bunch of macro algae, breeding ghost shrimp, 2 clownfish, mussels, barnacles, a container to,hold the loose mushrooms I catch, cryptic fuges. i am going to add a deep sand bed. I just added another pump and moved the other pump. You can see the mussels foot sticking out as they move to find a nice spot. The you might be able to see the barnicle flicking back and forth grabing food. It is hard to see in the video.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=n3uMWbECWPA