marine_science_addict
Community Member
Hey guys.
I have recently been trying to focus on my tank and bring it back to life. We always had coral both stony and soft, and we would just toss copepods and live brine shrimp here and there. Keep in mind we didn't know exactly what we were doing. Now that we have more cash income, we are wanting to go about this the right way. Currently I have been doing some research on the individuals inside my tank and realized a few of these guys need a steady supply of live food for them to be healthy; mostly linked to a refugium. Our parameters are alright but I know my NO and PO must be high because I have GHA and the bubble algae coming in for a landing again. We have been testing and dosing every single day for 2 weeks now, and I know this could be aiding in the algae growth. I have a 120 Gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump. The total water content is between 70 - 80 gallons. We use custom-made LED lighting purchased second hand which I realize now sucks because I do not know the output of these lights (currently looking into figuring it out).
ANYWAS!
I have been trying to do some research and comparing solutions. Right now I am leaning towards a "refugium". I put it in quote because I have a section of my sump that allows for, what seems like, a small refugium. When we first got the tank (second hand) it had a reptile heat lamp looking light and a nice chunk of chaeto. Nothing else. Not fully understanding that it was for, I threw the chaeto away because it just kept breaking up and flying all around my tank. Now I still have the light, and I am looking into getting a new clamp for it. It is through my understanding that a fuge can help with algea and can be used to house chaeto. But I am wondering if this little secion of my sump will help! Do I choose live sand or mud? do I use live plants? I just need help figuring this out because I want my tank to be healthy.
I really appreciate ANY advice!
I have recently been trying to focus on my tank and bring it back to life. We always had coral both stony and soft, and we would just toss copepods and live brine shrimp here and there. Keep in mind we didn't know exactly what we were doing. Now that we have more cash income, we are wanting to go about this the right way. Currently I have been doing some research on the individuals inside my tank and realized a few of these guys need a steady supply of live food for them to be healthy; mostly linked to a refugium. Our parameters are alright but I know my NO and PO must be high because I have GHA and the bubble algae coming in for a landing again. We have been testing and dosing every single day for 2 weeks now, and I know this could be aiding in the algae growth. I have a 120 Gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump. The total water content is between 70 - 80 gallons. We use custom-made LED lighting purchased second hand which I realize now sucks because I do not know the output of these lights (currently looking into figuring it out).
ANYWAS!
I have been trying to do some research and comparing solutions. Right now I am leaning towards a "refugium". I put it in quote because I have a section of my sump that allows for, what seems like, a small refugium. When we first got the tank (second hand) it had a reptile heat lamp looking light and a nice chunk of chaeto. Nothing else. Not fully understanding that it was for, I threw the chaeto away because it just kept breaking up and flying all around my tank. Now I still have the light, and I am looking into getting a new clamp for it. It is through my understanding that a fuge can help with algea and can be used to house chaeto. But I am wondering if this little secion of my sump will help! Do I choose live sand or mud? do I use live plants? I just need help figuring this out because I want my tank to be healthy.
I really appreciate ANY advice!
