Refugium and Phosphate reactor??

[Whysosalty]

Alright everybody I was wondering if there is any downside to adding a phosphate reactor to my Refugium?? I have an Eshopps R-100 illuminated by a Kessil H80 tuna flora under my 60 gallon cube

 

[Crabs McJones]

Alright everybody I was wondering if there is any downside to adding a phosphate reactor to my Refugium?? I have an Eshopps R-100 illuminated by a Kessil H80 tuna flora under my 60 gallon cube

My only concern would be that if the phosphate reactor pulls to much phosphate out of the water and chokes out or stunts the growth of your chaeto. Unless your phosphates are insanely high that you think adding a reactor would help lower it.

 

[mjlash22]

Overkill in my opinion.

 

[mcarroll]

Alright everybody I was wondering if there is any downside to adding a phosphate reactor to my Refugium??

Very possible. Why are you thinking about doing it?

 

[Whysosalty]

I’m thinking about doing it because I’ve read good things about Refugium being a natural process to export phosphates because he macroalgae consume them. I also read Marine Depots similar process with the chaeto in the reactor. I thought maybe both would be overkill but maybe it would be fine. That’s why I’m asking you guys

 

[Crabs McJones]

I’m thinking about doing it because I’ve read good things about Refugium being a natural process to export phosphates because he macroalgae consume them. I also read Marine Depots similar process with the chaeto in the reactor. I thought maybe both would be overkill but maybe it would be fine. That’s why I’m asking you guys

If you have a flourishing refugium, I wouldn't bother Don't want to risk choking out all that lovely chaeto

 

[Whysosalty]

If I put the chaeto in the reactor and replaced the chaeto in the fuge, what would be a good idea to replace it with that might work? This is my first fuge so I’m leaning on y’all to help me out.

 

[Crabs McJones]

If I put the chaeto in the reactor and replaced the chaeto in the fuge, what would be a good idea to replace it with that might work? This is my first fuge so I’m leaning on y’all to help me out.

Are you having issues with your chaeto? Caulerpa is another good choice, but does have some downfalls to it.

 

[Whysosalty]

No the chaeto is growing fine. My thinking process was that maybe adding a reactor would give me room to grow something else in the fuge and ultimately help even more with phosphate removal. I don’t know lol I’m a newby. I’ve only ever had a regular bare bottom sump on my 180 gallon mixed reef so I wanted to try a fuge on my cube. Which is going fine but thought maybe adding the reactor would push me over the top

 

[Crabs McJones]

No the chaeto is growing fine. My thinking process was that maybe adding a reactor would give me room to grow something else in the fuge and ultimately help even more with phosphate removal. I don’t know lol I’m a newby. I’ve only ever had a regular bare bottom sump on my 180 gallon mixed reef so I wanted to try a fuge on my cube. Which is going fine but thought maybe adding the reactor would push me over the top

If you're getting good growth out of your chaeto, i'd leave it. Eventually the chaeto will bottom out your phosphates and the reactor will be useless. Better to save the money for somethign else

 

[mcarroll]

help even more with phosphate removal.

Is something going on with your phosphates? What is making you consider these changes?

If it's purely "just because" then I can wholeheartedly tell you to stop and just enjoy your tank as it is. Don't mess with what works.

 

[Whysosalty]

Fair enough. Thank you I will adhere to your advise. BUT I do have another question. This is my first fuge. I have just chaeto and live rock. What does everyone use in their fuge? What have you found works best?

 

[mjlash22]

Are you having issues with your chaeto? Caulerpa is another good choice, but does have some downfalls to it.

+1 Mangroves are another option...if needed.

If you're getting good growth out of your chaeto, i'd leave it. Eventually the chaeto will bottom out your phosphates and the reactor will be useless. Better to save the money for somethign else

Is something going on with your phosphates? What is making you consider these changes?

If it's purely "just because" then I can wholeheartedly tell you to stop and just enjoy your tank as it is. Don't mess with what works.

+1 to the above posts, if your phosphate levels are good and you're getting good growth frmo the cheato alone, no need to re-work everyhting and add more. The true tell will be your phosphate level.

 

[mjlash22]

Fair enough. Thank you I will adhere to your advise. BUT I do have another question. This is my first fuge. I have just chaeto and live rock. What does everyone use in their fuge? What have you found works best?

Rock rubble and cheato. Some people use sand/mud as a substrate. Some people add pods/beneficial bacteria. You can get creative, it's almost like a mini aquarium.

 

[mcarroll]

What does everyone use in their fuge? What have you found works best?

I can't speak for everyone thankfully but "what works" should be "what's needed" and not more.

That's why we keep coming back to....

Is something going on with your phosphate levels that got you thinking about all this? Or what?

 

[Whysosalty]

Nothing is wrong with my phosphates. I just thought maybe adding a reactor would take it over the top. I guess my general assumption is, the more equipment the more success.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

Do you test for po4? If not you do not know where they are. Common opinion is around .03 is the target. Hana UL phosorus tester is a good tester. I have thE r100 sump on my 75 and also use a 2 little fishies reactor for gfo. My refugium is full of chaeto. When po4 raises I put fresh gfo in my reactor.

 

[mjlash22]

Nothing is wrong with my phosphates. I just thought maybe adding a reactor would take it over the top. I guess my general assumption is, the more equipment the more success.

Usually the more equipment, the more maintenance If your levels are good, I would just let it be. If you start to see a spike, assess at that point.

 

[Ocean Lotion]

Do you test for po4? If not you do not know where they are. Common opinion is around .03 is the target. Hana UL phosorus tester is a good tester. I have thE r100 sump on my 75 and also use a 2 little fishies reactor for gfo. My refugium is full of chaeto. When po4 raises I put fresh gfo in my reactor.

He re is a pic of my r100 fuge.

 

[mcarroll]

Nothing is wrong with my phosphates. I just thought maybe adding a reactor would take it over the top. I guess my general assumption is, the more equipment the more success.

Cool.

"Over the top..." can be like going over a waterfall.....long way to the crash site, but that's where you're heading just the same.

more ≠ better

KISS principle definitely helps out in reefing.

"KISS is an acronym for "Keep it simple, stupid" as a design principle noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960.[1][2]"