Refugium set up

[Shawn_epicurious]

So... I am 8 weeks into my tank. I’ve been able to add quite a few species of corals, macro algae, anemones. 6 clown fish, 5 cardinal fish, a cool blue and yellow fish... (I don’t know his name yet... working on it) bigger than the clowns, smaller than the cardinal fish and 2 spotted eels. I still have room for more corals, but. I wanna learn more before I put too much in. I‘m patient.

Oh... My cleaning crew may be too big. I have a lot. They are all very small, but it’s been pointed out to me here recently, I may have too much.

my build page shows my toys... am I ready for a refugium?

it seems like all I need is some kato in my sump...?

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I’d have to add lighting and a timer as well...

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

I am not asking you to say if “I am ready”... I am simply asking if my tank is ready... is it too soon for me to do a refugium. : )

 

[najer]

What are your nitrates and phosphates levels, that is a lot of stock in a young tank?
Yes in answer to your question, get some macro growing.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

What are your nitrates and phosphates levels, that is a lot of stock in a young tank?
Yes in answer to your question, get some macro growing.

I’m still not doing my own water testing. My LFS guy is still doing all of the testing. He keeps assuring me the nitrate and phosphate levels are where they should be. I still need to buy a good testing kit.

I've watched a dozen videos on setting up a refugium in my sump. It seems easy enough and well worth the effort.

 

[najer]

I’m still not doing my own water testing. My LFS guy is still doing all of the testing. He keeps assuring me the nitrate and phosphate levels are where they should be. I still need to buy a good testing kit.

I've watched a dozen videos on setting up a refugium in my sump. It seems easy enough and well worth the effort.

Get your own test kits, "ok" is no use, if they are low then the macro will take longer to establish.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Get your own test kits, "ok" is no use, if they are low then the macro will take longer to establish.

Yup, that’s my next purchase... sometime this week : ) ...a testing kit.

 

[najer]

Tag me in when you get them, I run a sump refugium and a display refugium on my big tank, cheato is not the only macro.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Tag me in when you get them, I run a sump refugium and a display refugium on my big tank, cheato is not the only macro.

I will! Thank you

 

[Auquanut]

is it too soon for me to do a refugium. : )

That's really a good question. If your NO3 and PO4 are basically where you want them, it may not be a bad idea. It's easier to maintain levels via a fuge or ATS than to try to reduce them, and then try to maintain them in my opinion. You'll have to keep a close eye to ensure that you don't bottom them out. That can be controlled with your lighting schedule and harvesting the macro algae.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Tag me in when you get them, I run a sump refugium and a display refugium on my big tank, cheato is not the only macro.

Salinity 1.023
alk 7
mag 1350
No3 between 20
po4 .06

 

[najer]

Nudge your salinity up to around 1.025 when you can, looks like cool numbers.

 

[Paulie069]

I am not asking you to say if “I am ready”... I am simply asking if my tank is ready... is it too soon for me to do a refugium. : )

I set my refugee up the day I set my whole tank up everything was ready to roll the day I plugged it in

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Nudge your salinity up to around 1.025 when you can, looks like cool numbers.

I just bought some testing equipment... had a long talk with the LFS guy. He suggested the exact same thing : ) I am using an automated reverse osmosis top off system. I am starting some manual top offs with the water in my 55 gallon drum instead. It should start coming back up : )

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

Nudge your salinity up to around 1.025 when you can, looks like cool numbers.

The LFS guy I talked to today... kinna laughed a little when he measured my nitrates... he said i needed more fish.... a few of my corals “like” the water a little dirtier. Made me feel good about my water : )