Dose Vibrant or add refugium?

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Hello All! I am gearing up for a tank transfer, and want to avoid the “uglies” while the tank re-adjusts. I have done a bit of reaserch, and have come up with two ideas. Idea one is to dose vibrant or something like that to introduce bacteria that will help control nuisance algae. The other idea is to add a refugium to the new tank, and hope that the chaeto can outpace the nuisance algae and control it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Vibrant can work in my experience with some types of algae but not all types I personally would love a refugium but I don't have space so maybe try vibrant and if it doesn't work get a refugium

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Vibrant can work in my experience with some types of algae but not all types I personally would love a refugium but I don't have space so maybe try vibrant and if it doesn't work get a refugium

Didn't know that Vibrant only affected some types of algae, thanks for the advice!

 

[Viva'sReef]

Vibrant would be the easy route, not knowing any background on the tank could make adding a refugium an either large or small project depending on a lot of things. We talking hang on the back refugium? A sump chamber? Remote tank? What are you thinking?

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Vibrant would be the easy route, not knowing any background on the tank could make adding a refugium an either large or small project depending on a lot of things. We talking hang on the back refugium? A sump chamber? Remote tank? What are you thinking?

The new tank is an IM 30l, and I would simply dedicate one of the back chambers to a small refugium. I would not be able to do anything massive as it has to stay in the tank to maintain a sleek look. Thanks for the help!

 

[MaxTremors]

If you’re adding new dry rock, it will go through the uglies no matter what. Whatever can colonize the free real estate first, which is usually nuisance algae, will be there until more desirable algae/bacteria/organisms out compete it and take over. If it’s establish live rock, it should be fine. Personally, I’m not a fan of running refugiums in the back chambers of AiOs, it’s doable, but it’s less than ideal. On my AiO, I recently added the large Fijicube HoB refugium, and I really like it. I don’t think it detracts from the overall look of the tank, it’s pretty slick (also has ports for dosing tubes and probes). Anyway, to answer your question, I wouldn’t dose vibrant proactively, in a new tank it may also kill/hinder beneficial algae/bacteria. I would run a refugium (however you choose to do it), or just let nature take its course.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

If you’re adding new dry rock, it will go through the uglies no matter what. Whatever can colonize the free real estate first, which is usually nuisance algae, will be there until more desirable algae/bacteria/organisms out compete it and take over. If it’s establish live rock, it should be fine. Personally, I’m not a fan of running refugiums in the back chambers of AiOs, it’s doable, but it’s less than ideal. On my AiO, I recently added the large Fijicube HoB refugium, and I really like it. I don’t think it detracts from the overall look of the tank, it’s pretty slick (also has ports for dosing tubes and probes). Anyway, to answer your question, I wouldn’t dose vibrant proactively, in a new tank it may also kill/hinder beneficial algae/bacteria. I would run a refugium (however you choose to do it), or just let nature take its course.

I will be using the live rock I already have, and any new rock will be live rock directly from the tanks at the LFS. based on this it looks like maybe not doing anything to attempt to prevent algae is the best course. Thanks for the advice!

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Up the cuc?
D

 

[Brian_68]

If you have acros or montis Vibrant is hit or miss. Sometimes it works as intended, but as others on this forum have found can devastate these corals and is difficult to recover.

 

[Viva'sReef]

I'd like to at least say I would not go the Vibrant route off the rip. I know I said that would be the easy route but only in your own theory/assumption. I don't recommend it

 

[CanuckReefer]

Hello All! I am gearing up for a tank transfer, and want to avoid the “uglies” while the tank re-adjusts. I have done a bit of reaserch, and have come up with two ideas. Idea one is to dose vibrant or something like that to introduce bacteria that will help control nuisance algae. The other idea is to add a refugium to the new tank, and hope that the chaeto can outpace the nuisance algae and control it.

What are your thoughts?

I did dose beneficial bacteria on my 90 g transfer. But only half the recommended amount from a start up, just in case, although any leftover should just get sucked up by filtration. What size is the new compared to the old? If same or even a bit larger I wouldn't go with new LR right away, let your existing rock carry that load, then maybe add a piece or two of dry or life rock a few weeks later slowly. Why potentially introduce pests? Just my opinion...

Up the cuc?
D

^^^ I like this idea, did same a week after my transfer, all members are working away....

 

[Fishfreak2009]

I always recommend the biggest refugium you can get, ideally with more than one type of algae. I grow Dragon's breath in mine, along with 4 types of Caulerpa, Sargassum, clove polyps, and GSP. Also threw in a huge variety of pods, and have a variety of macros in the display. Between all of that, 15 lbs of established rock from my fluval evo, a large CUC, and dosing the tank with a huge amount of biospira and Microbacter 7 when first started up, and following up with regular dosing of PNS and Microbacter 7, I completely skipped a cycle in my 75 gallon, and had diatoms for all of 5 days or so. Now I just have slow growing green algae on the rocks, which all the CUC eats (especially the urchin) and already have coralline growth.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Up the cuc

Didn’t even think of that, but great idea, will do!

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I'd like to at least say I would not go the Vibrant route off the rip. I know I said that would be the easy route but only in your own theory/assumption. I don't recommend it

If you have acros or montis Vibrant is hit or miss. Sometimes it works as intended, but as others on this forum have found can devastate these corals and is difficult to recover.

Seems like vibrant is really a no now, thanks for all the insight!

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I did dose beneficial bacteria on my 90 g transfer. But only half the recommended amount from a start up, just in case, although any leftover should just get sucked up by filtration. What size is the new compared to the old? If same or even a bit larger I wouldn't go with new LR right away, let your existing rock carry that load, then maybe add a piece or two of dry or life rock a few weeks later slowly. Why potentially introduce pests? Just my opinion...

^^^ I like this idea, did same a week after my transfer, all members are working away....

The tank is 3 times the size ( currently a 10g, upgrading to a 30 ) so more rock will be in order.

I like the idea of going for some more general benifical bacteria and adding some more CUC.

thanks for your help!

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I always recommend the biggest refugium you can get, ideally with more than one type of algae. I grow Dragon's breath in mine, along with 4 types of Caulerpa, Sargassum, clove polyps, and GSP. Also threw in a huge variety of pods, and have a variety of macros in the display. Between all of that, 15 lbs of established rock from my fluval evo, a large CUC, and dosing the tank with a huge amount of biospira and Microbacter 7 when first started up, and following up with regular dosing of PNS and Microbacter 7, I completely skipped a cycle in my 75 gallon, and had diatoms for all of 5 days or so. Now I just have slow growing green algae on the rocks, which all the CUC eats (especially the urchin) and already have coralline growth.

Awsome insight! I will up the CUC, dose some more general benifical bacteria, and I will see about a refugium down the line.

thank you all for the help!

 

[PeterC99]

Saltwater aquariums are very delicate ecosystems. Anything you can do to naturally manage nutrients and water quality will greatly benefit you long term. Refugium with chaeto wins hands down. Trying to manage your aquarium chemically usually Is much more difficult to maintain that ecosystem balance.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Saltwater aquariums are very delicate ecosystems. Anything you can do to naturally manage nutrients and water quality will greatly benefit you long term. Refugium with chaeto wins hands down. Trying to manage your aquarium chemically usually Is much more difficult to maintain that ecosystem balance.

That’s the vibe I am getting! With more and more people saying refugium, I will start looking into the best lighting options to see if I can get something to work in such a narrow and tall space. Would you have any recommendations?

 

[PeterC99]

I use a Neptune GRO light. Many great Refugium lighting options out their. I started with a Home Depot plastic clip-on light with LED grow light.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I use a clip on with reflector and a 40w fluorescent house bulb
My tanks suffering from gha right now and I'm debating a uv.
Although I pulled a good amount it will take effort and dedication to get it back on track.
I'm upping my cuc with 2 or 3 pencil urchins and like 16 top crown snails.
Gonna remove my humu humu trigger and if I have to do the uv I will.
Fuge coming soon for me too as well I think op.
D