What's in your Fuge?

[keithdoc]

Looks like a lot of folks starting down the Triton Journey - plenty of clean looking sumps and questions. What I don't see are any specifics on what's in the Fuge? Or how to maintain it.
Where are our salty Triton Reefers and their Fuge stories . . . . .

My Fuge:
Size: 12% of Display
Macro Algae: Chaeto, Devils Tongue
Lighting: Kesil H380
Pump: none (but considering it)
Clean up Crew: none (about to do it)

Personally, I'm on day 10, and have been really impressed with how much the macro algae has grown (doubled in size from baseball). No appreciable detritus yet.
The display tank has zero buildup anywhere (compared to scraping every 2-3 days #BeforeTriton
However, the fuge looks like a brown algae bomb just went off.
I'm feeling guilty my snails look hungry on their 10d fast.

What CRITTERS do you keep in your FUGE?
Are various snails "OK" down there? Astrea vs Turbos.
Any other recommended critters?

How do you maintain your FUGE?
How do you keep detritus manageable?
Rinse Cheat in fresh salt when harvesting it?
Keep a separate pump in there?
Vacuum through filter sock?

 

[newbreefer316]

Following, I'm getting a custom sump rebuilt, 1st one was damaged during shipping , and I plan on doing a dual fuge. Chaeto in the sump lit by a H380 and a separate mixed macro fuge lit by either a 360 Tuna Sun or XR15FW. I plan to harvest macros from the display fuge to sell locally but leave the chaeto untouched if possible.

 

[Zack K]

I can’t even tell you what’s going on below the weeds. At one point their was a few crabs and snails but they may have found some grilled cheese and moved out to a better home.
I run 10x-15x turnover through my sump and all of it has to flow through the fuge. It keeps a good flow through it. Bristle worms like doing cartwheels in it.

 

[johnzena]

Looks like a lot of folks starting down the Triton Journey - plenty of clean looking sumps and questions. What I don't see are any specifics on what's in the Fuge? Or how to maintain it.
Where are our salty Triton Reefers and their Fuge stories . . . . .

My Fuge:
Size: 12% of Display
Macro Algae: Chaeto, Devils Tongue
Lighting: Kesil H380
Pump: none (but considering it)
Clean up Crew: none (about to do it)

Personally, I'm on day 10, and have been really impressed with how much the macro algae has grown (doubled in size from baseball). No appreciable detritus yet.
The display tank has zero buildup anywhere (compared to scraping every 2-3 days #BeforeTriton
However, the fuge looks like a brown algae bomb just went off.
I'm feeling guilty my snails look hungry on their 10d fast.

What CRITTERS do you keep in your FUGE?
Are various snails "OK" down there? Astrea vs Turbos.
Any other recommended critters?

How do you maintain your FUGE?
How do you keep detritus manageable?
Rinse Cheat in fresh salt when harvesting it?
Keep a separate pump in there?
Vacuum through filter sock?

I temporarily placed my macroalgaes in my display tank while I am setting up a display refugium. My snails devowered the macros. I will NOT be keeping. Snails in my refugium.

 

[keithdoc]

That is grossly beautiful ;Lurking

 

[Neo Jeo]

I’ll be adding 2 blue hermits and 0 snails I don’t want one to get lose and into my skimmer.

 

[CreatiVe2]

Great post @keithdoc I am also wondering about some of these options as well. I am glad you are having success with your setup. Its very similar to what I have planned. If i may, I would like to add to the discussion With some additional questions
I am setting up a new 120 gal and have a 16% sized fuge from lifereef. I am going with the H380 as well, and leaning towards the Triton system.
I was wondering about the pros/cons with using sand vs no sand vs marinepure?
Has anyone had experience with marinepure in the fuge?
What is the success with a CUC in the fuge once growth got extreme.
(because with the H380 it will)
and What flow rate through the refugium, and why? (I have heard mixed opinions)
My last question was fielded in yesterdays poll. I think we all know what macro algae won that.
thanks!

@Zack Klabunde - I Assume you are doing what i did in my last tank - Set it and forget it? lol

 

[Zack K]

Great post @keithdoc I am also wondering about some of these options as well. I am glad you are having success with your setup. Its very similar to what I have planned. If i may, I would like to add to the discussion With some additional questions
I am setting up a new 120 gal and have a 16% sized fuge from lifereef. I am going with the H380 as well, and leaning towards the Triton system.
I was wondering about the pros/cons with using sand vs no sand vs marinepure?
Has anyone had experience with marinepure in the fuge?
What is the success with a CUC in the fuge once growth got extreme.
(because with the H380 it will)
and What flow rate through the refugium, and why? (I have heard mixed opinions)
My last question was fielded in yesterdays poll. I think we all know what macro algae won that.
thanks!

@Zack Klabunde - I Assume you are doing what i did in my last tank - Set it and forget it? lol

Correct. It’s kinda running itself. On to the questions.

All three of the substrate options have their pros. Sand bed will create a low oxygen (Anerobic) zone deep within the bed housing bacteria that will take care of nitrate. No sand bed is obviously the easiest to clean when detritus settles and Marine pure gives you the maximum amount of surface area for your bacteria.

As for a CUC in the fuge, it is personal preference IMO. Some like it and some don’t. I just threw in a couple of snails and a few misc Hitchhiker crabs. Nothing major. It just becomes a dumping ground for unwanted inverts.

My tank turns over on average 12x an hour. 64x12.... running roughly 768 Gallons thru it an hours. Now that sounds like a lot but only 1/3 of that makes it to the bottom. Most of the flow skims over the top. I personally found better results running a lot of flow through the fuge. Helps aerate the water and move that detritus around.

Hope this helps,

Zack

 

[tidefanjam]

I don’t run Triton, but I did just get some red macros in my fuge a week ago, also ate several ceriths and s couple of blue hermits that got banished down there for picking on my zoas

 

[Rolrod39]

I like miracle mud in my refugium. Also halimeda and crabs.

 

[johnzena]

I don’t run Triton, but I did just get some red macros in my fuge a week ago, also ate several ceriths and s couple of blue hermits that got banished down there for picking on my zoas

I use sand and miracle mud. Where did you ger the red macro from.

 

[drtrash]

Need a few turbos to clean sides but mostly pods, cheato and just added dragos breath

 

[tidefanjam]

I use sand and miracle mud. Where did you ger the red macro from.

http://live-plants.com/

 

[lbacha]

My Xenia dominated display fuge

My cheato dominated skimmer section

I decided to go skimmerless, between the cheato and Xenia I run undetectable Phosphate and nitrate levels. I dose reef energy to make up for the lack of nutrients and my corals are colorful and happy

 

[Cnidoblast]

Looks like a lot of folks starting down the Triton Journey - plenty of clean looking sumps and questions. What I don't see are any specifics on
What CRITTERS do you keep in your FUGE?
Are various snails "OK" down there? Astrea vs Turbos.
Any other recommended critters?

Trochus snails are the best as they can pick themselves up should they fall