Refugium Questions???

LeoLionFish · Oct 25, 2011

I set up a 120g tank about 2 weeks ago and set up my sump with a refug. I placed approx 2" sand bed and lots of rubble rock. My question is when can I add macro algae? What type of macro do I add? How much? How do I maintain it? As you can see I have no clue on how to start this refug. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!!

Troylee · Oct 25, 2011

Wlcome to reef2reef.... I would start with some chateo it's simple and doesn't go asexual and spread to your tank.... I would start with a nice soft ball size lump with a spiral compact bulb on it....6500 Kelvin range... You want low to moderate flow through it... Only thing you will need to do is turn it once in awhile or get it to tumble with a power head etc.... Also during water changes it's a good idea to swish it around in a bucket of old tank water it does collect a lot of junk floating in the water... Hope that helps...

ToXIc · Oct 25, 2011

Troylee said:
Wlcome to reef2reef.... I would start with some chateo it's simple and doesn't go asexual and spread to your tank.... I would start with a nice soft ball size lump with a spiral compact bulb on it....6500 Kelvin range... You want low to moderate flow through it... Only thing you will need to do is turn it once in awhile or get it to tumble with a power head etc.... Also during water changes it's a good idea to swish it around in a bucket of old tank water it does collect a lot of junk floating in the water... Hope that helps...

^ this..

and welcome to the site!!!

LeoLionFish · Oct 25, 2011

Thank you Troylee and ToXIc for welcoming me and thank your for your advice. With my tank being new can I add the cheato now??

Dowtish · Oct 25, 2011

I'm assuming that it is still cycling. I would let the nitrates fall on their own first then add the chaeto.

LeoLionFish · Oct 25, 2011

Chris - The tank went through a mini cycle about 3 days ago...I used live sand and fed an empty tank since I started it. I also added Dr Tims One and Only to get the Nit Bac going quicker! My test only went up a bit in ammonia and then fell to 0. Can I assume that I have cycled?? Also Nitrates are 20 ppm.

Troylee · Oct 25, 2011

Yeah go ahead put it in and get it going... It won't hurt anything... Just stock it slow so every thing can keep balanced out and you don't run into problems... Hth

Dowtish · Oct 25, 2011

I don't have much experience with the Dr. Tim's product, but I have heard a bit about it. You could probably go ahead and add the chaeto, and a couple of clowns or chromis and just keep an eye on the parameters.

Troylee · Oct 25, 2011

Sorry guys I didn't even realize this was in a club forum till just now....:tongue:

LeoLionFish · Oct 25, 2011

Thanks Troylee and Chris!! I will probably add some clowns this weekend!! Im excited!! Does anyone have any cheato in the Nash/Murf area I can buy from them??? Plus is anyone willing to come out and look over my tank to see if everything is setup properly??? I want to add a UV sterilizer but dont know how to plumb it in...beware if you volunteer to look at my tank you will be BOMBARDED with questions!!

SmyrnaReefer · Oct 25, 2011

i got some, we can get together whenever.... im in smyrna

LeoLionFish · Oct 25, 2011

Sounds Great SR!! I will send you a PM.

gmoney243 · Oct 25, 2011

I would actually use lower kelvin bulbs like the cheap. Warm/soft bulbs with high w like 20-26w cfl spiral bulbs is what I use cost $2ea and I have 3 basketball size balls of chaeto and it spreads like wildfire. Please take from me lol mine all started from a softball size about 6 months ago and I've given a bit away

gmoney243 · Oct 25, 2011

Oh and reef team 6 sounds like another mission lol

Zef004 · Oct 25, 2011

Welcome to the greatest reef forum. I'm glad to see you over here Rc is a PITA. They gave me Infrcation for tell you about the clubs website. What a load.