How often do you siphon your refugium?

[fernandokng]

I have a lot of detritus in my refugium, and I was wondering if you guys clean that out when you do water changes? I usually do, but I'm wondering if i'm also killing all the pods that are growing there by doing so... I don't want it to become a nitrate sponge though...

 

[emmanuel]

I never did but I try to syphon out my sump every water change

 

[Marteen]

Isn't the point of the refugium to provide a place for detrius to collect so pods and snails and the such can eat it up and reproduce? If you are worried about large particulate matter accumulating in your refugium you could always place some filter floss between your intake and your fuge. That way only the small particulates would get in that the pods mainly eat.

 

[Bob 1000]

I've never syphoned it out but I think I will be soon.. I have so much flow going through it it might not need it though..

 

[Pedro Nuno Ferreira]

Hi fernando
some detritus should end up in your refugium but not up to the point in which you have to siphon it, as that will be deleterious for its inhabitants, the infauna as well as all the swimming little critters and consequently the refugium it self and the whole system. If it tends to become a mudflat, them you must take action in such way for that no to happen. Please analyze the water flow into your refugium and change it or improve it so that the refugium is not turned into a mudflat. Would it be possible for you to post some photographs as those might help us to help you.

Cheers
Pedro Nuno ;-)

 

[fernandokng]

You guys are right. The issue has been with the lack of flow, that's why so much detritus has settled to the bottom.

I siphoned it one last time today, and then placed my skimmer output of directly in it, to give it the flow it needs.