Equipment - Refugium

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Refugium

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=58763
Printed Date: July 03 2026 at 5:17am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Refugium

Posted By: Molli
Subject: Refugium
Date Posted: August 31 2012 at 11:59am

Sand or mud? Have you tried both and which did you prefer. I need to make a decision and this will be my first refugium.

Replies:

Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: August 31 2012 at 12:22pm

I actually prefer neither - traps to much detritus, IMO

But when I did run fuges with a bototm, I preffered sand. At least you can stir it up a bit without totally clouding up your entire system...

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- My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *

Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: August 31 2012 at 12:57pm

Gosh this forum is so helpful. Everything I'd read about refugiums seems to say use deep sand (and don't disturb it) or use that mud stuff. Now I need to read up on a bare bottom refugium. I also don't understand the advantage of using anything other than Cheato when much of anything else can go sexual and completely destroy your tank. Obviously there most be some advantage in taking that risk...

Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: August 31 2012 at 1:05pm

Honestly, I just run a nice ball of chaeto now.

No problems growing pods, asterina stars, bristleworms - they all hang out inside the cheato.

My last setup I had a 225g display with a large refugium, filled with probably 6 - 7 different macros and a few mangroves, a DSB, etc. Looked great for about 7 or 8 months, then started to turn into a 'poop trap' full of gunk and semi - stagnant water. And issues keeping my nitrates at zero - despite running a full plenum in the display tank.

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- My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef

* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *

Posted By: Jacknugget
Date Posted: August 31 2012 at 1:08pm

I run a deep sand bed in my refugium, the worms and other fauna keep my sand free of detritus. I have two types of macro in my refugium caulerpa and cheato. The caulerpa seems to be the faster growing algae and mine has never gone sexual. I trim it occasionally and keep it under 24 hour lights. You could skip the sand and go with live rubble rock. When it comes to biological filtration, live rock is hard to beat.

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125 Mixed Reef