"feeding" your refugium?

[MichaelReefer]

Does anyone "Feed" their refugium? I have heard of people putting fish flakes or pellets in the Chaeto for the Copepods to feed on, and to feed the algae itself. Just wanted some insight on it.

 

[Silver14SS]

I've ordered most of my fuge critters from IPSF, one of their products is Pod Flakes. I occasionally add a pinch when I remember, but other than that no deliberate feeding.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I don't find this to be necessary. The goal is for detritus and other undesirable nutrient sources to make it into the refugium for the critters to breakdown and eat. The only time I would consider feeding a refugium is if my nutrients were at undetectable levels and had a specific pod I was trying to cultivate. Outside of that pods will thrive if left alone.

 

[Lorenzo Angotti]

Hi, I feed phytoplankton that I culture myself every three days in the sump when I feed the fish in the evenings, but I knock of the return Pump for 45min. this gives time for any pods to have chance to eat also you must switch off the skimmer because apparently it would skim the phytoplankton out.so after the 45min. I switch back the return pump and any phytoplankton if any left makes its way in the tank to feed the corals and filter feeders, then another 15min. later I turn the skimmer back on.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I don't find this to be necessary. The goal is for detritus and other undesirable nutrient sources to make it into the refugium for the critters to breakdown and eat. The only time I would consider feeding a refugium is if my nutrients were at undetectable levels and had a specific pod I was trying to cultivate. Outside of that pods will thrive if left alone.

Only reason I was considering it is because It's a new refugium, so I didn't know if I should add some.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Only reason I was considering it is because It's a new refugium, so I didn't know if I should add some.

I wouldn't for a new reugium. With a new setup you will go through bouts of very high nutrients and very low nutrients. The first year is usually spent chasing stability and trying to minimize the uglies.

 

[BayouReefer]

If it’s new I would have a place for the pods to cultivate. Then I would buy some live pods and seed your refuge. Shut down all flow for 20 min when you put them in

 

[MichaelReefer]

If it’s new I would have a place for the pods to cultivate. Then I would buy some live pods and seed your refuge. Shut down all flow for 20 min when you put them in

I have dry rock rubble and chaeto set up in it already. The pods are sitting on my counter at home, came in from Algae Barn