How to maintain a Refugium???

[LittleFish1]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to DIY my 20g Refugium soon. Before I start, would appreciate some advice what are the things I need to do to maintain and/or clean my refugium. The only things I know are:

1) Crop the caulerpa
2) Clean the pump from clog
3) Change filter pad/carbon etc in chamber
4) Clean Protein skimmer
5) Change light

Thanks guys.

 

[Mac1]

I've only ever done 1 and 2 on my refugium. I wouldn't skim that tank, as that's where most of your micro-fauna will come from. Skimming it will only remove that stuff you want in your tank. What you could do, is use the skimmer to pump the water from your main system into the 'fuge. Have the skimmer discharge into your refugium, and then your 'fuge can return to the system on it's own.

- Mac

 

[danmhippo]

Ditto, drop the #4.

 

[jhaag]

I usually change the PC lamp in my sump about every year. I'm sure I could probably even go a little longer, but it's on 14 hours a day and it looses some intensity after a while. As for the algea, I usually crop it whenever it starts to get a little overgrown (about once/month). When I do trim it though, I trim the hell out of it so there is very little left. When it regrows, it comes back stronger everytime...

 

[LittleFish1]

Thanks guys.

Will change plan in positioning the skimmer.