help building a refugium.

[Roy 9121]

I'm trying to start a refugium in my sump. I bought a new sump with a center section for a refugium. I put in the mud, and some algae, and put on a grow light. What else do I need to do? I'm pretty sure I should seed it with Copods, what kind should I use? What else do you guys put in your refugiums?
Thanks for your help.

 

[Saltybubbles288]

Mine just has rock rubble and cheato I seeded with tisbe and tiger pods from coral Reefing I bought from the lfs.

 

[Roy 9121]

Mine just has rock rubble and cheato I seeded with tisbe and tiger pods from coral Reefing I bought from the lfs.

So you didn't put in the refugium mud? I didn't really think I needed that, but my LFS suggested it. I should know better then to listen to them. Oh well, it's in there now, and I'm not taking it out.
You used two different types of Copods?

 

[Saltybubbles288]

I did research on the mud but couldn't find and reason to add it though I didn't find any reason not too, and yes I used two I originally just had tisbe but when I bought my Miranda the Mandarin they included a bottle so I introduced tiger, they can live together though they compete for the same resources.

 

[Roy 9121]

I did research on the mud but couldn't find and reason to add it though I didn't find any reason not too, and yes I used two I originally just had tisbe but when I bought my Miranda the Mandarin they included a bottle so I introduced tiger, they can live together though they compete for the same resources.

So, you don't think I need to remove the mud, right? Cuz I rally don't want to do that, it would be a real pain.
If I just wanted tho go with one type of copod, which one should I go with? Or does it matter?

 

[Saltybubbles288]

No I wouldn't remove it, I havnt heard of any negative effects. I prefer tisbe pods they reproduce much faster, are safer for smaller fish and from the research I've done have higher nutritional levels I added the tiger only because they were free. Though I'm sure there are plenty of tiger fans out there.

 

[Roy 9121]

No I wouldn't remove it, I havnt heard of any negative effects. I prefer tisbe pods they reproduce much faster, are safer for smaller fish and from the research I've done have higher nutritional levels I added the tiger only because they were free. Though I'm sure there are plenty of tiger fans out there.

I wanted the tisbe Copods, but I'm having trouble finding them. I was thinking about just going with the tiger pids, but i think I'll wait a few more days to see if my LFS gets the tisbe pods in. Thanks for your help.

 

[Saltybubbles288]

My pleasure.

 

[keddre]

Mine is just rubble rock, leftover sand and caulerpa. I didn't seed it with any pods but I buy uncured live rock so I have a nice array of hitch hikers

 

[Roy 9121]

Mine is just rubble rock, leftover sand and caulerpa. I didn't seed it with any pods but I buy uncured live rock so I have a nice array of hitch hikers

Do you have a light? If so, what did you use?

 

[Roy 9121]

My pleasure.

By the way, what kind of light did you use?

 

[keddre]

I have used a grow light from home depot, then a plain CFL bulb later. I still use the CFL and haven't seen a huge difference

 

[Saltybubbles288]

By the way, what kind of light did you use?

I'm currently using a t5 full daylight 10k from one of my freshwater systems but I'm not seeing any macro algae growth just micro so I'm going to switch to a led growlight soon.

 

[Dom]

I'm trying to start a refugium in my sump. I bought a new sump with a center section for a refugium. I put in the mud, and some algae, and put on a grow light. What else do I need to do? I'm pretty sure I should seed it with Copods, what kind should I use? What else do you guys put in your refugiums?
Thanks for your help.

I just have a deep sand bed (4 inches) and some chat with a grow light.