Refugium Question...

[junglebase]

I finally got my equipment ready for a refugium. Can I just pour new Sand into the fuge compartment and if so how deep should it be? Also, can i seed it by taking some of my sand in my main tank as well as live rock ruble? Any input is appreciated. I dont want to disrupt the ecosystem in the main tank by doing something stupid. Also, how long do i need to wait before i can add chaetos?

 

[House of Laughter]

J,

Here is what I would do - if the refuge is already online, I'd do the following:

1) Shut off the feed pump
2) Get a piece of 1" PVC
3) Hold it underwater and pour sand into it
4) SLOWLY - raise the PVC to allow the sand to flow out into the compartment of choice
5) Repeat to desired depth
6) Add one cup of seeded sand from display - skim the surface and get all you can without disturbing the deepest portions of the SB
7) Let it settle for about an hour
8) Turn feed pump on

Disclaimer: This worked for me and don't turn your feed pump on too early or you'll shoot that sediment into your display. A cloud is OK, but too much will kill stuff.

I have a TON or rubble and larger rocks in my fuge (it's also a 29g tank, so . . . )

I run a DSB in my fuge in case I need to chuck it I can and replace without difficulty)

Any change you make to the system is a disruption - how strenuous it is on the system is what you'll want to limit.

I would add chaeto as soon as you turn on the feed pump - make sure you get a light for it as well.

House

 

[jawwad2004]

I have a remote refugium in line with my sump.
For sand base, I would definitely not having anything lower then 4 inches. What I actually did was start at 3 inches in my fuge and added half inch every six months until I reached 4. Now I remove 1/4 inch of sand every six month and replenish with a new layer. This has seemed to work best for me at keeping nutrients low.
Also seeding the sand from your main system shouldnt pose a problem unless you disturb the sand to such an extent that it starts to leech nutrients.
I hope this answered your question.

 

[junglebase]

Jim,

Can i not empty the sump area of water after i turn off the feed pump, and then replenish it with new saltwater mix? I can just pour the sand and the new water onto one of the compartments and let it overflow into the refugium compartment. Will that work too?

 

[drunktank]

5-6in sand bed or its not worth it.

i'd personally take the water outta the fuge, pack the sand in and then add water, shoudlnt get any sand storm

 

[madhouse]

im gonna be settin up a fuge as well soon in remote 20L... do i need to use live sand for that DSB or can i use some play sand from HD or something and use a lil bit of the livesand from my main tank to seed it..?

 

[inkblue]

i wouLd say no on tHe play sand:

http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/where2buy/sandbox.html

 

[drunktank]

do u have sand in ur tank madhouse?

dont use play sand, its important that ur sand isnt going to kill fish

 

[madhouse]

i have sand in my main display
but not alot its a really thin sand bed...

 

[drunktank]

okay , so what you do is, find sand thast acceptable for fish tanks, fill up ur sump so you get 5-6inches. Then just syphon out a small cup from ur tank and place it on ur sand bed. And within a month ur refugium should be well established.

 

[madhouse]

can i hook it to the main tank right away or should i leave it to run independently til its established..?

 

[drunktank]

I'd hook it right up.dead sand shuldn't effect any of ur parameters, i'd be more worried if u added baserock or semiLR, make sure its clean and cured.

 

[reefman]

drop a few pieces of good live rock on it for a few months to seed it.

 

[coralcrazy]

Alex pick up your lighting fixture from me