Setting up a new refugium

[jimsreef17]

Noob here! I bought a trigger systems Ruby 30. Trying to get the best set up possible out of a tight space under my stand. I plan on having a skimmer in section 1 and the return pump in section 3. I have questions about the rwfugium, section 2.
1) what's best for it? I see so many people doing so many different things. Miracle, mineral, or Fuji mud?
2) Chato's purpose benefits?
3) Live rock?
4) what's best for the mechanical filter area between sections 2 and 3? Planned on bio balls but see a lot of people suggesting against them.

 

[smh254]

I would put some live rock and chaeto in the 2nd chamber. Your chaeto will grow and hopefully outcompete any algae trying to grow in your Display.

 

[Douglas Wattier]

The whole idea of having a sump in adding water volume to your system. In placing rock in your fuge, you are adding more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow. Putting substrate in is gonna be up to you, depending on who you talk to, you will find people going one way or the other and swearing by it. Chaeto is used to outcompete algae growth in your display and remove phosphates at night if you run your sump light during the off hours. I wouldn't necessarily go with live rock because you could be adding hitch hikers that you don't want. Put rubble rock in and it will turn into live rock over time once the bacteria takes hold. As for the mechanical filtration, i would suggest maybe marine pure block, I'm going to put it in my next sump. But it adds an insane amount of surface area for your bacteria.