Getting Critters from Refugium to Tank?

[ReefLion]

I have a 40 gal display tank, supported by about a 200 gallon sump system comprising a pair of Rubbermaid stock tanks and a 75 gal glass tank. The sump is in the basement, with the display tank on the first floor. The "middle" unit in the sump system, one of the stock tanks, is a live rock and DSB refugium.

There are tons of critters in the refugium (pods etc.) that I'd like to get up to the display tank on a regular basis. My question is how? I'm fairly certain they would not make the trip to the display tank alive, even if they did migrate consistently to the system pump. Does anyone have a technique for gathering them and manually getting them into the display tank, maybe once a week or so?

Right now there is not much macroalgae in the sump. I'm thinking this would help, perhaps just waving it around in a bucket of tank water and then dumping the water in the display tank. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

ReefLion

 

[Powder Blue]

how about rinsing off live rock from the refugium with some tank water?

 

[danmhippo]

Contrary to misconception, most critters smaller than 1/2 inch will make it through the return pump fine. You can take an experiment. Tie a fine mesh net on incoming water nozzle in the main tank to collect what ever sent up by the pump, and you shove some pods into the return pump intake. Inspect the net, and you should find most critters make the trip just fine.

 

[2poor2reef]

Danmhippo is correct. While it seems counterintuitive your refugium critters such as amphipods, copepods, mysid shimp will travel through the impellers just fine. I have seen bristle worms, ministars and even cap snails make it from my refugium to the main tank intact.

 

[MattM]

The shear forces found inside the average pump are comparable to a large wave crashing on the reef crest. The pods and other small creatures will make the trip through your pump just fine.

 

[reefland]

I agree the critters should survive the pump ride. If you want to try the mire direct route. Pick up a rock and shake it off in a bucket of tank water. I use this method for moving worms and such from one tank to another.

If you're really after pods, use a large cell hole spong in the refugium. Nothing for filtration, just let it sit there for a few weeks. Then take the spong to the other tank and give it a shake (not a squeeze!)

 

[ReefLion]

Thanks for the replies. I had some notion that things could survive the trip, but I guess I just never bought into it. Sounds good though.

I'm not sure if my desription was sufficient, but to get to the system pump the pods have to leave the refugium and make their way through another 75 gal, which is mainly empty of equipment and has no rock or sand. Thus I think I'll try the sponge and/or rinse suggestions. Richard, when you mentioned a "large cell hole" sponge I assume you mean a relatively open design (for example the kind people sometimes use over perforated standpipes or large pump intakes). Please let me know if I'm missing something. Thanks again to everyone.

ReefLion

 

[danmhippo]

I used to employee a old whisper filter and weekly shakes the filter pad in main tank to disperse the pods for food. Same concept as the sponge method too. You can also use a bathing sponge (new, cleaned, never been used) for this purpose as well. Bathing sponge are generally coarser in texture and are a preferred habitat for the pods.

 

[reefland]

Richard, when you mentioned a "large cell hole" sponge I assume you mean a relatively open design (for example the kind people sometimes use over perforated standpipes or large pump intakes). Please let me know if I'm missing something.
ReefLion

That is correct. Something with large enough holes that critters could call home.