New tank setup stuff.

Nelius · May 17, 2016

Hello every one. Im busy seting up and cycling my tank. Using bacteria in a bottle to get it going. Hoping to start adding a crap or two by the weekend.

My questions
1. Should i add "purple up". Those purple algae in a bottle. Does it take over the tank ie class and sand anf equipment or is it a good to have ?

2. What is a refugium ?

3. Is there a team mate for my cleanup crew that can do as good a job om my reef thank as the pleco does on my freshwater tank ?
3.1 Snails ? I had a bad experience with snails in my fresh water tank, they took over my tank by the hundreds.

I plan to have corals. 2 nemos a dori a few cromas ......

120reefkeeper · May 17, 2016

120reefkeeper · May 17, 2016

Hello every one. Im busy seting up and cycling my tank. Using bacteria in a bottle to get it going. Hoping to start adding a crap or two by the weekend.

My questions
1. Should i add "purple up". Those purple algae in a bottle. Does it take over the tank ie class and sand anf equipment or is it a good to have ?

2. What is a refugium ?

3. Is there a team mate for my cleanup crew that can do as good a job om my reef thank as the pleco does on my freshwater tank ?
3.1 Snails ? I had a bad experience with snails in my fresh water tank, they took over my tank by the hundreds.

My questions
1. Should i add "purple up". Those purple algae in a bottle. Does it take over the tank ie class and sand anf equipment or is it a good to have ?

You don't have to add purple up. If you have any existing coralline algae it will naturally cover your rocks etc with time and proper water chemistry. Purple up doesn't contain coralline algae, it's supposed to help promote the growth of it. Coralline is a love hate thing. It's great on your live rock but it's a battle to keep it off of things you don't want it on. It will cover glass, sand, plastic, and pumps if you don't do routine maintenance.

2. What is a refugium ?

A refugium is generally an area in your sump where you keep macro algae to help control phosphates in your tank. It's also considered an area where Copepods and amphipods can find a safe refuge for reproduction.

3. Is there a team mate for my cleanup crew that can do as good a job om my reef thank as the pleco does on my freshwater tank ?

Depending on your tank size tangs are awesome graziers also Blennys. Many many different types of fish that will help with this.

3.1 Snails ? I had a bad experience with snails in my fresh water tank, they took over my tank by the hundreds.

I've never had a problem with snails going crazy in any of my saltwater systems. My only advice would be to stay away from the margarita snails. I've never had much luck with them lasting very long, but that's my experience and my .02....

Happy reefing and again welcome!!

Nelius · May 17, 2016

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

vic67 · May 17, 2016

1. No on the Purple Up. Coralline algae will eventually grow in your tank.
2. A "fuge" would add water volume (that's a good thing); be a place for pods and macro algae; and a place to hide your heater if you didn't want it in your DT. I put additional LR in my fuge too.
3. +1 on the Blennys. Sharp nosed Tangs can also help with controlling algae.
4. Marine snails don't reproduce like the FW type. Good snails to get are Mexican Turbos; I also like Nerites.