? add on refugium

[KAHASH]

hi
im starting a new 125 g reef tank, allready have a 5og and a nano reef set up. i will be combining the two into the 125g, my question is i want to use my nano tank and add it as a refugium under cabinet by the sump. we want to breed cocopode, we will have a in sump skimmer with bio balls as filtration, where should i return the refugium into the bio balls and then it will go to the skimmer and then return to the DT, or can it go into the skimmer and then return into the DT? my concern is that the cocopodes either way would not make it to the DT, i hope im wrong any advise would be helpfull
thanks
scott

 

[sil3ncio]

get rid of the bioballs.....

 

[KAHASH]

bio balls will go after i cycle the new skimmer, some new rock and sand then i will switch out to rock rubble. unless someone has a differant idea.
tx

 

[Imbarrie]

DT -> Skimmer/Sump -> Fuge -> back to DT.

If you can gravity feed the fuge into the DT your fish will benefit from the pods

 

[KAHASH]

i wish i could gravity feed but cant, we really love mandarin's we have had two and only last a couple of months even adding cocopod's to the DT, so untill we figure out how to do it we wont get them.
thanks
scott

 

[jarofsardines]

what is a cocopod? is it something im unaware of or do you mean copepod?

the bio balls will trap debris and break it down causing a nitrate and phosphate problem. this would make a fantastic filtration setup for a freshwater tank but marine does not need this. even to much live rock or rubble in a sump can act just like the bio balls so if your going to use rock only use 1 or 2 nice pourus pieces for the pods to roam and live in but really you only will need a nice clump of chaeto and the pods will be all throughout it.

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Cocopods= a tasty breakfast for Mandarins

 

[KathyC]

Why can't you use the 50 (is it a breeder? ) as the sump?
You be better served having a sump that can accomodate the skimmer and have part of it as a fuge to aid in growing out the pods. They will make it back to the DT, even through the pumps..
In a 125 there should be enough rocks for the pods to live and multiply in there as that is where they need to be available for the Mandarins.

Remember a tank should be well established (at least 1 year) and be of a sufficient size to provide a healthy environment for Mandarins..patience will be your biggest ally.

Lose the bioballs entirely from the start. You'd be better off starting with only sand in the fuge then adding rock as you go along.

Cocopods= a tasty breakfast for Mandarins

Funny..lol

 

[KAHASH]

i spoke with the dealer thats selling me the entirer package and they will switch out the bio balls for a light and that space now will become the refugium area in the sump, do you think it would be good to add the chaeto as well? i sold the 45g that would have worked as a sump to.
thanks for all the help im sure i will have a 100 more questions

 

[jarofsardines]

a good tip that i do is keep a few small pourus rocks in my refugium. every one or two weeks i rotate one rock at a time into the display bringing up a bunch of pods. in another week or two ill swap that rock with another that has been sitting in the fuge.

 

[goisles1]

i spoke with the dealer thats selling me the entirer package and they will switch out the bio balls for a light and that space now will become the refugium area in the sump, do you think it would be good to add the chaeto as well? i sold the 45g that would have worked as a sump to.
thanks for all the help im sure i will have a 100 more questions

Heck yes.. If they are adding a Fuge light, take advantage and add some Macro Algae. Cheato is great.. It grows like a weed under proper lighting and will also make a fine home for Copepods. The cheato in my fuge is INFESTED with pods.