would you use a refugium with chito for fish only

[johnj]

Hi im new to marine and have noticed a lot of reef guys use a refugium with chito or other algae for getting nitrates and phosphates down and help with ph drop at lights out"

would this be of benefit in a fish only tank? or would you go with a biopellet reactor

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hi im new to marine and have noticed a lot of reef guys use a refugium with chito or other algae for getting nitrates and phosphates down and help with ph drop at lights out"

would this be of benefit in a fish only tank? or would you go with a biopellet reactor

It would by still keeping the nitrates and phosphates down which will limit unwanted algae in your display tank. Nitrates and phosphates don't have as big of an impact on fish as it does coral, but it would still keep your display looking nice by keeping the pest algae down

 

[johnj]

It would by still keeping the nitrates and phosphates down which will limit unwanted algae in your display tank. Nitrates and phosphates don't have as big of an impact on fish as it does coral, but it would still keep your display looking nice by keeping the pest algae down

thank you for reply" would it have to be a big area in sump to really work because tank is 6ft 2ft 2ft and would you add a few inch sand base then chito above"

 

[theMeat]

Yes, agree with crabby mcJones.
Never understood don’t need a fuge, or can use bio balls in fish only thinking. Nitrates grows algae and is the reason for water changes. Why not use the nitrate e to grow algae in sump instead of display, while it consumes the nitrates allowing more or infinite time between water changes

 

[mfinn]

Hi im new to marine and have noticed a lot of reef guys use a refugium with chito or other algae for getting nitrates and phosphates down and help with ph drop at lights out"

would this be of benefit in a fish only tank? or would you go with a biopellet reactor

A refugium with chaeto is just one tool of several that you can use to help keep unwanted algae from growing in your display tank.
It's a pretty cheap tool too.

 

[johnj]

Yes, agree with crabby mcJones.
Never understood don’t need a fuge, or can use bio balls in fish only thinking. Nitrates grows algae and is the reason for water changes. Why not use the nitrate e to grow algae in sump instead of display, while it consumes the nitrates allowing more or infinite time between water changes

that's good if can cut down on water changes or smaller water changes as salt is so much money in uk and being a 160 gal tank"

 

[mfinn]

Hi im new to marine and have noticed a lot of reef guys use a refugium with chito or other algae for getting nitrates and phosphates down and help with ph drop at lights out"

would this be of benefit in a fish only tank? or would you go with a biopellet reactor

In addition to a refugium, consider a skimmer. It's another great tool.

 

[johnj]

A refugium with chaeto is just one tool of several that you can use to help keep unwanted algae from growing in your display tank.
It's a pretty cheap tool too.

can you still run a u/v with refugium with chaeto ? and do most people just light the refugium after lights on main tank are out! to keep ph stable

 

[johnj]

In addition to a refugium, consider a skimmer. It's another great tool.

just got me a reef octopus regal 200s whot lot of guys say is a good skimmer and not to fiddly

 

[mfinn]

just got me a reef octopus regal 200s whot lot of guys say is a good skimmer and not to fiddly

I have a Reef Octopus skimmer myself.
Good skimmers.

 

[theMeat]

can you still run a u/v with refugium with chaeto ? and do most people just light the refugium after lights on main tank are out! to keep ph stable

Uv is used to kill free floating algae and things like ich. It will also help keep water clear. Not so much for ph swings, and most either don’t run em, or run em 24/7. Gotta change the bulb every 10 mos or so.

 

[T-5unsystem]

I'm with Crabs, I think its a great idea to keep the nutrients low to prevent algae.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Also to add, a fuge with chaeto is also a great area to populate pots. Great free fish food

 

[minus9]

I would use a fuge on a fish only system. Especially if you have tangs, angels or over herbivores. Feed the chaeto or other macros to your fish and complete the cycle. I have a yellow tang and one spot foxface and I will clip a small clump of chaeto in the display and they devour it in no time. It's a win-win situation, reduce excess nutrients, feed fish, grow pods, balance pH swings at night, what's not to love about that scenario?

 

[johnj]

Also to add, a fuge with chaeto is also a great area to populate pots. Great free fish food

 

[johnj]

I would use a fuge on a fish only system. Especially if you have tangs, angels or over herbivores. Feed the chaeto or other macros to your fish and complete the cycle. I have a yellow tang and one spot foxface and I will clip a small clump of chaeto in the display and they devour it in no time. It's a win-win situation, reduce excess nutrients, feed fish, grow pods, balance pH swings at night, what's not to love about that scenario?

would you just use a section of your sump for chaeto or would it work in a reactor ?

 

[mfinn]

would you just use a section of your sump for chaeto or would it work in a reactor ?

Seems like chaeto reactors are a popular option these days. But you have to do research on them to find out which design works and which doesn't.
I go the traditional route and divide my sumps into 3 sections.
One for incoming water and a skimmer, the second for a refugium, and the last as a return area and some equipment.

 

[Victoria M]

I am pretty happy with my chaeto fuge. If you have a sump it will be great with a FOWLR set up to keep unwanted algae from the display tank.

 

[johnj]

I am pretty happy with my chaeto fuge. If you have a sump it will be great with a FOWLR set up to keep unwanted algae from the display tank.

whot is that pink/purple light you using? think kessil do a special light for chaeto and other in refugiums" was there no need for a 1-2 inch sand bed mate"

 

[johnj]

Seems like chaeto reactors are a popular option these days. But you have to do research on them to find out which design works and which doesn't.
I go the traditional route and divide my sumps into 3 sections.
One for incoming water and a skimmer, the second for a refugium, and the last as a return area and some equipment.

ahh ok buddy" I always thought the skimmer had to go in last chamber with return pump as water would be cleaner and less chance of skimmer getting blocked up!