Refugium Substrate
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MarineDepot
Build a Better Aquarium
We would not recommend using play sand in an aquarium as it will just cause more issues as your aquarium matures. There is a good R2R post on play sand that you may want to check out, here.
My refugium is barebottom so I do not use any sand or mud as this provides the least maintenance. This allows me to have a slightly higher flow rate and a place to grow pods and chaeto algae. Mud is a great substrate for a refugium as it leaches trace elements into the aquarium, but you will need to partially change it out annually. A sugar-sized sand bed would be less maintenance than mud, but it will need to be a deep sand bed to be really beneficial. I hope this helps.
Dan
My refugium is barebottom so I do not use any sand or mud as this provides the least maintenance. This allows me to have a slightly higher flow rate and a place to grow pods and chaeto algae. Mud is a great substrate for a refugium as it leaches trace elements into the aquarium, but you will need to partially change it out annually. A sugar-sized sand bed would be less maintenance than mud, but it will need to be a deep sand bed to be really beneficial. I hope this helps.
Dan
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VB68
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I was thinking about putting some Macroalgae in it. Would it be better with mud or sand( also how deep should it be )
Pkunk35
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I like a mix of substrate to allow for a larger variety of critters in the sand bed as a more diverse particle size creates more niches for life to grow.
IMO diversity is key for full refugium benefit, you want as many different kinds of pods/worms as you can get reproducing as possible.
I've also used bath loofahs as substrate before in a refugium and it worked well but just looked too weird (also trapped a TON of debris but this may have been good for the harpacticoid pods).
IMO diversity is key for full refugium benefit, you want as many different kinds of pods/worms as you can get reproducing as possible.
I've also used bath loofahs as substrate before in a refugium and it worked well but just looked too weird (also trapped a TON of debris but this may have been good for the harpacticoid pods).
