Adding Refugium

[nmaragh18]

Hello Everyone.
So I recently got a RSR Peninsula 500 and the tank is cycled and has been up for about 1.5 months now. I was wondering when is a good time to start the refugium? I am new to all of this. I know the refugium is beneficial. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Parameters as of today
PH=7.9
No3=3.8
NH3=0

 

[Spare time]

You can add it whenever. The only time where you don't want it is during the initial cycle. Just make sure to get a proper light and to watch nitrate and phosphate. If these consistently stay low with the refugium and you end up not needing water changes for a while, I like adding something like iron or chaetogro.


Also, try to get the macroalgae from a source known to have clean (pest free) algae.

 

[Pistondog]

What @Spare time said. And ime, high par is the guarantee for chaeto growth. I stuff my fuge with live rock to support the chaeto to the waters surface to maximize par. Get a cheap, $50 horticulture led light off Amazon

 

[nmaragh18]

You can add it whenever. The only time where you don't want it is during the initial cycle. Just make sure to get a proper light and to watch nitrate and phosphate. If these consistently stay low with the refugium and you end up not needing water changes for a while, I like adding something like iron or chaetogro.


Also, try to get the macroalgae from a source known to have clean (pest free) algae.

Thank you for your response. The tank is cycled and I do have 2 Clown Fishes in it as well as 2 Pajama Cardinals. I plan to use the Tunze Submersible Marine LED EcoChic Light 8811. I also do plan on getting the ULTIMATE REFUGIUM STARTER PACK from Algae Barn that supposedly has all necessary items to start the fuge.

 

[Austin456]

A good pest free macro algae is clean cheato by algae barn, they quarantine there macroaglgae so you can be sure there are no pest. They are a trust worthy company in my opinion

 

[Spare time]

Thank you for your response. The tank is cycled and I do have 2 Clown Fishes in it as well as 2 Pajama Cardinals. I plan to use the Tunze Submersible Marine LED EcoChic Light 8811. I also do plan on getting the ULTIMATE REFUGIUM STARTER PACK from Algae Barn that supposedly has all necessary items to start the fuge.

Sounds good to me!


PS if you buy the pack with the copepods, be sure to do it at night when you fish are sleeping.

 

[nmaragh18]

What @Spare time said. And ime, high par is the guarantee for chaeto growth. I stuff my fuge with live rock to support the chaeto to the waters surface to maximize par. Get a cheap, $50 horticulture led light off Amazon

Thank you for your response. I will definitely look into that light.

 

[nmaragh18]

A good pest free macro algae is clean cheato by algae barn, they quarantine there macroaglgae so you can be sure there are no pest. They are a trust worthy company in my opinion

Thank you. That was the route I was planning on taking.

 

[nmaragh18]

Sounds good to me!


PS if you buy the pack with the copepods, be sure to do it at night when you fish are sleeping.

Will do.

 

[afboundguy]

I'd have to echo everybody else and say to wait until after the cycle. I added a HOB refugium to my 25 cube (no sump) that was set up for 8-9 years and the tank has taken off since I added a refugium...