Refugium sand

Girthrockwel · Jul 25, 2017

I'm far from an expert but I just have smaller rocks and chaeto in my refugium and I have a pretty strong copepod and amphipod population that has spread to my DT. My rock is BRS reefsaver and it's super porous so I guess the critters live in it and the chaeto.

dbl · Jul 25, 2017

I have always been under the impression not to disturb a DSB. Now I'm by no means an expert at any of this, but can share a personal experience. For the first three years I ran a fuge with a DSB, miracle mud, a little rock and chaeto. Never touched it other than thinning out the chaeto. Had great success with this method.

A few months ago I installed a new sump and went with just rock and chaeto. So no mud or sand at all. I can say I have noticed absolutely no difference at all. I will add the fuge area in the new sump is twice as large so there is a slightly more rock and twice as much chaeto. Not sure if that has any impact at all. But I will be able to clean it out pretty easily when the time comes.

To @saltyfilmfolks point, there are many methods and many ways to skin a catfish.

Idoc · Jul 25, 2017

What are peoples impressions of the Fuji Mud bottoms for refugiums? I was considering that... but having to replenish party of it yearly can get costly. Now thinking clean bottom or some bigger live rock only!

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 25, 2017

Idoc said:
What are peoples impressions of the Fuji Mud bottoms for refugiums? I was considering that... but having to replenish party of it yearly can get costly. Now thinking clean bottom or some bigger live rock only!

You mean miracle mud and the ecosystem method. Some folks love it.
It's a substrate. ITs a Dsb and place to grow the calurpa.
Fiji mud is a bit different. It's quite literally mud from the bottom af a reef. I put it in all my Dsb and tanks I cycle. I added a big handful last week to my tanks. Lots of odd life in it.

Murica · Jul 27, 2017

Went bare bottom with some live rock and chaeto. Got a emerald crab and bristle worm pods and mysis soon... Not sure if the mysis will survive without sand but gonna try.

tdileo · Jul 27, 2017

Murica said:
Went bare bottom with some live rock and chaeto. Got a emerald crab and bristle worm pods and mysis soon... Not sure if the mysis will survive without sand but gonna try.