I want to set up a refuge and make use of the designated area in my eco-Fill sump but I need some tips on how everyone else has theirs. Do I throw in cheto and sand, miracle mud, hermit crabs? Where can I get a simple light to use and what hours do I run it? Thanks for the help guys!
Tips on refugium
- Thread starter klyeorkyle
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..no hermit crabs. I mean it's up to you, but, the root of the word refugium is "refuge" as in a safe place for, in most cases, macro algae and amphipods, free from predation. A common grow light for plants is sufficient, and you can get an inexpensive clamp on type utility fixture from Home Depot to house the bulb. You can use mud on the bottom, even with a layer of sand capping the top of it. There are a few places on-line that sell detrivore kits you can add. I find my own refugium just as interesting as the display tank. 
Thanks for the info. I'm trying to get away from the sock so I want my refuge as the main filter. I see detritus accumulation in the area for the refuge and thought the crabs would eat that. Would you recommend something different?
That's what the detrivore kit is for. Checkout Inland Aquatics. You can also get small quantities of refugium sand from local fish stores, chocked full of detritus eating worms, tiny mollusks, and so on.
Av8Bluewater
Active Member
My biggest advice is have a proper quarantine tank set up and watch for "everything" for months.
By everything I mean be on the look out for bubble , cotton candy algae and a million other things.
I'm about to break down my refugium and restart it because of cotton candy algae. There's just too much intertwined with the good macro that the turbosnails can't get to it.
It's a real mess.
Agreed with no hermits. I would put a few snails. Sometimes I rotate my snails in and out of main display just incase they're not getting enough food in refugium.
By everything I mean be on the look out for bubble , cotton candy algae and a million other things.
I'm about to break down my refugium and restart it because of cotton candy algae. There's just too much intertwined with the good macro that the turbosnails can't get to it.
It's a real mess.
Agreed with no hermits. I would put a few snails. Sometimes I rotate my snails in and out of main display just incase they're not getting enough food in refugium.
Ellery
Active Member
Keep it simple.... Mine is just a 5 gallon bucket of Macroalgae taking the over flow from my frag tank and returning to the sump through mesh socks and then recirculated. Lighting is a cheap LED from HD and run 24/7. I think I have 1 tuebo grazer snail just to help with keeping the sides of the bucket somewhat clean.
