Cryptic zone refugium, how to set up?

[Mandelstam]

Been reading interesting things about cryptic zones and how they can really benefit to a reef tank. So now I'm thinking that I might want to add one to my upcoming 60g build. What I'm thinking is a stand alone 10g or something like that. I will run a cheaeto fuge farm also.

Other than low light and live rock/rubble, do you have to seed it somehow? Or will it eventually be seeded by itself so to speak? I'm planning on using live rock, ocean harvested/farmed, in my tank. If I have to buy inhabitants, what's the best option to go for?

 

[Ashish Patel]

I added a cryptic zone to my sump few months ago.. 6 gallon...If you can go bigger thats great but even in a small space you can maximize their growth by adding rows of eggcrate and ideal flow. I actually added a 10LB rock full of sponge which i got from another hobbyist. The way they spread is impressively, they stretch to surround surfaces if its like a wall or eggcrate. Sponges will grow on their own but it will take a very long time. I would find a hobbyist or LFS who has some old rubble in their sump or get a cryptic package from reeffarmers.

 

[Ashish Patel]

Those pictures are from day 1 of adding the cryptic zone! I'll try posted new one of growth from 2 months

 

[Mandelstam]

Thank you Ashish!

Ideal flow, is that high, low, or something in between?

 

[NS Mike D]

following

Tyree has info on this. low flow is also part of zone, and he sells seeded rubble rock pieces.

 

[Ashish Patel]

if your gonna run a cheato and cryptic zone together try making a eggcrate structure and have the the sponges and rock under the eggcrate.
Eventually Cheato can find its way into the sponge area and kill it (happened to me), This is why I added the different area for sponges. You can still do it I never had a barrier to separate the 2.

 

[Mandelstam]

if your gonna run a cheato and cryptic zone together try making a eggcrate structure and have the the sponges and rock under the eggcrate.
Eventually Cheato can find its way into the sponge area and kill it (happened to me), This is why I added the different area for sponges. You can still do it I never had a barrier to separate the 2.

My initial plan is to run the cryptic zone in a separate refugium, not with the cheaeto.

And low light, what does that mean? Completely blacked out? Is some light spill from a nearby cheaeto fuge ok?

 

[NS Mike D]

if your gonna run a cheato and cryptic zone together try making a eggcrate structure and have the the sponges and rock under the eggcrate.
Eventually Cheato can find its way into the sponge area and kill it (happened to me), This is why I added the different area for sponges. You can still do it I never had a barrier to separate the 2.

my understanding is that no/low light is part of the zone, which is opposite of cheato

I also understand that we can also have semi-cryptic zones. that is what i have set up since low flow isn't an option for mine at this time. while i do think cryptic sponges will show up, and thus feed my corals, I expect that other filter feeders, like fan worms and feather dusters will make up a good part of the zone. I made an egg crate box and am placing rubble rock in mine

 

[Ashish Patel]

Thank you Ashish!

Ideal flow, is that high, low, or something in between?

I probably have 150 gallons per hour going through the 6 gallon cryptic zone. If that was coming from a single point then it would be too much. its coming from 10 different holes and drains from the top.. I would say the ideal flow should be adjusted to where they are clean, bubble up, and spread to surround areas.

 

[Ashish Patel]

My initial plan is to run the cryptic zone in a separate refugium, not with the cheaeto.

And low light, what does that mean? Completely blacked out? Is some light spill from a nearby cheaeto fuge ok?

Yeah I have some light spill from the refugium and have a clear front panel. I want to keep any light loving pest out of there, algae and aiptasia mainly.

 

[NS Mike D]

My initial plan is to run the cryptic zone in a separate refugium, not with the cheaeto.

And low light, what does that mean? Completely blacked out? Is some light spill from a nearby cheaeto fuge ok?

I understand that no light is preferred. the systems i have seen use a second sump (simple as a rubbermaid bucket) to keep light out and flow low. i also have seen cryptic sponges in display tanks under or near the sand where light and flow are low/absent.

I think a large dedicated low flow no light zone is needed, but since that isn't an option for me , i am experimenting with a semi -cryptic zone

 

[Mandelstam]

my understanding is that no/low light is part of the zone, which is opposite of cheato

I also understand that we can also have semi-cryptic zones. that is what i have set up since low flow isn't an option for mine at this time. while i do think cryptic sponges will show up, and thus feed my corals, I expect that other filter feeders, like fan worms and feather dusters will make up a good part of the zone. I made an egg crate box and am placing rubble rock in mine

Would love to see some pics!

 

[NS Mike D]

Would love to see some pics!

not much to show since it's just being set up . the egg crate took 5 minutes. i used zip ties to put it together. it's behind the ATS.

Sump Dec 2017

• NS Mike D
• Dec 30, 2017

I am curing the rubble rock, added the first pieces to the sump this week. the DIY ATS is experimental. the idea is that the black frames will keep out the light, but i suspect that it won't be 100% effective.

If I were to do a true cryptic zone, I'd set up a separate rubbermaid.


right now, one of my goals is to better deal with detritus in the DT, so I am using filter socks. I'll be evaluating this over time as the semi-cryptic zone develops

 

[chefjpaul]

I switched out my sump refugium chamber to a cryptic area, When I need export Ill add an algae reactor or scrubber, untill then, I want to add life.

I blocked a majority of the baffles witg acrylic to slow the flow, added sand from the display, some sponge filled rocks, pods, etc..
Fiji mud or AF mud. NO light!

http://www.reeffarmers.com

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My chato covers the top of the fuge almost entirely. I have some rocks that block a bit of flow.
Pretty cryptic.

I don’t think you have to put that much effort into it.

 

[Mandelstam]

I switched out my sump refugium chamber to a cryptic area, When I need export Ill add an algae reactor or scrubber, untill then, I want to add life.

I blocked a majority of the baffles witg acrylic to slow the flow, added sand from the display, some sponge filled rocks, pods, etc..
Fiji mud or AF mud. NO light!

http://www.reeffarmers.com

I'm in Europe so I'll have to check for vendors here. But those packs seems good!

 

[Ashish Patel]

This is some pictures of the sponges growing. I decided to remove alot of the rubble since eggcrate is better for flow and I feel they spread faster on it. Most of this eggcrate was add 1 month ago.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm in Europe so I'll have to check for vendors here. But those packs seems good!

I wonder if @Jason mack would know of a good place for bugs and cryptic critters in Europe

 

[fermentedhiker]

post in error

 

[Lerequin]

I wonder if @Jason mack would know of a good place for bugs and cryptic critters in Europe

Hi there. I have the same question. I'm in UK and so far after googling I found sponges for sale at marineworldaquatics.co.uk/collections/sponge
They have sea squirts as well.
I'll ask my LFS