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Caulerpa/Refugium
- Thread starter reef_11
- Start date
I can't think of any negatives right now.
As for sand or rock, that is really personal choice. If you are looking to have more copepods and other life multiply in the fuge to feed your tank, then I would reccomend sand and or rock. A little rock is also nice because it gives the caulepa something to attach too and not just drift around.
As for maintenence, prune out some of the caulerpa when it starts to get overgrown.
And for light, can use whatever you have available (I have 2 175w MH on my refuge :twisted: ), keeping in mind the more light you have will usually translate into faster growth. Many people use power compact lights that are designed for outdoor landscape lighting at the hardware store, I have had good experience with these too. The color is gross for a reef tank but works great for macroalgae.
I run my refugium lights on a timer that is different from the lights on my tank, and this has really helped even out pH fluctuations
As for sand or rock, that is really personal choice. If you are looking to have more copepods and other life multiply in the fuge to feed your tank, then I would reccomend sand and or rock. A little rock is also nice because it gives the caulepa something to attach too and not just drift around.
As for maintenence, prune out some of the caulerpa when it starts to get overgrown.
And for light, can use whatever you have available (I have 2 175w MH on my refuge :twisted: ), keeping in mind the more light you have will usually translate into faster growth. Many people use power compact lights that are designed for outdoor landscape lighting at the hardware store, I have had good experience with these too. The color is gross for a reef tank but works great for macroalgae.
I run my refugium lights on a timer that is different from the lights on my tank, and this has really helped even out pH fluctuations
I too, utilize a reverse photoperiod over my refuge/sump like Laura D. You may want to compare the advantages of having Chaetomorpha as opposed to Caulerpa:
A. It won't leech harmful nutrients back into the water even when broken. Will not go asexual like other algae which is ideal for a 24/7 or reverse photoperiod lit refugium/sump.
B. Does not attach or has no foothold, making harvesting quick and easy.
C. It's thickness provides an excellent haven for critters.
D. Nothing grows as fast and is as durable as Chaetomorpha.
A. It won't leech harmful nutrients back into the water even when broken. Will not go asexual like other algae which is ideal for a 24/7 or reverse photoperiod lit refugium/sump.
B. Does not attach or has no foothold, making harvesting quick and easy.
C. It's thickness provides an excellent haven for critters.
D. Nothing grows as fast and is as durable as Chaetomorpha.
I second that. Don't get caulerpa. I know from experience that there are better macros. In my opinion, red gracilia from drs. foster and smith works really well... and the fish love it for a snack.
For lighting, get the same type of fixture as you have on your main tank if you can afford it. That way, you can use the old bulbs from the main tank to light the refugium. Then you can also use this space to grow out soft corals which has the same function essentially as growing macroalgae.
Otherwise, just buy somthing cheap and bright from Home Depot or Walmart. Double strip four-foot flourescents work well for $8 or halides for about $50 at HD.
I'd use a fine grade sand to keep your fuge from turning into a detritus trap. Also, you can get more denitrification with less depth if you use a fine grade sand. Look for sugar-fine or oolitic (however you spell that).
I'm currently setting up a new tank with two refugiums: one dark and one reverse photoperiod. The dark one will be for sponges and will have a deep, fine sandbed. The reverese photoperiod one will be lit with three compact flouresecents (I had extra fixtures from an old tank) and will grow algae, mushrooms, and xenia. It will also have a bed of fine grade sand.
Hope this helps.
Sawyer
For lighting, get the same type of fixture as you have on your main tank if you can afford it. That way, you can use the old bulbs from the main tank to light the refugium. Then you can also use this space to grow out soft corals which has the same function essentially as growing macroalgae.
Otherwise, just buy somthing cheap and bright from Home Depot or Walmart. Double strip four-foot flourescents work well for $8 or halides for about $50 at HD.
I'd use a fine grade sand to keep your fuge from turning into a detritus trap. Also, you can get more denitrification with less depth if you use a fine grade sand. Look for sugar-fine or oolitic (however you spell that).
I'm currently setting up a new tank with two refugiums: one dark and one reverse photoperiod. The dark one will be for sponges and will have a deep, fine sandbed. The reverese photoperiod one will be lit with three compact flouresecents (I had extra fixtures from an old tank) and will grow algae, mushrooms, and xenia. It will also have a bed of fine grade sand.
Hope this helps.
Sawyer
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