refugium question

evermann · Post by **evermann** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 1:59 am

Hi agn guys...My main tanks not ready to put up but after further research I thought I would go ahead and set up a refugium and use it for filtration instead of a wet/dry when my other is ready...Couple of questions...Macroalgae, optimally, when should it be introduced into a refugium? If asap, would any of you be willing to sell any...In the future I plan on several diff varieties and can buy them on ebay but would prefer to aquire local...Filtration. What, if any filtration should be used on it while cycling? Just a powerhead for circulation, some LR and LS? thanks

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 9:23 am

I have spaghetti -> Chaetomorpha crassa
http://www.horta.uac.pt/species/Algae/C ... crassa.htm

& Grape Caulepra -> Caulerpa racemosa http://www.globaldialog.com/~jrice/alga ... _caulp.jpg

& Common Caulerpa -> Caulerpa prolifera
http://www.livingreefimages.com/LRI051.JPG

I can give you a little of each.. it should only take a little to get started. I really like the spaghetti.. I have it in my main display shoved inbetween rocks.. and you can see little pods living in it.

I am swapping for some Codium which is pretty cool looking, but will probably need to let it grow out some.

I don't want anything for it.. you have to trim it back and throw some out anyways for it to keep growing well.

I wouldn't use any filtration... just buy you a crappy piece of live rock from B&B or somewhere like that.. and start the cycle with that. Believe me, that rock will plenty enough die-off to get it kicked off just fine.
Give it about a month and you'll be amazed at the amount of living things that start showing up on this piece of rock.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 11:13 am

I have the grape caulerpa and Chaetomorpha crassa. I don't know who you are close to, but I have enough to get you started. What lights are you planning on using over the refugium?

evermann · Post by **evermann** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 11:36 am

Thanks guys that sounds great. I'm in Spanish Fort so I'm prob closer to Brandon...So I guess I contact you in a day or so and make a trip over whenever you have time...As for light, I was told I dont need much on the refugium...So I guess I was going to use a small flourescent on a timer...Should that be sufficient?

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 11:56 am

A lot of people are using these

from Wal-mart. I think they have something similar at home-depot also.. about $25. Gives you lots of bang for your buck, and I think it is pretty easily mounted in your stand {Originally put canopy,meant stand} above your refugium.

harbingerofthefish · Post by **harbingerofthefish** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 7:33 pm

That light maybe a little over kill. How big is this refugium? If it not going to be real deep, I have a 15" socket w/ballast you can have. It looks crappy but it works. It's one of those under the counter jobs. You can get 15" sun-glo bulbs for like $8. Of course all this is pretty dependent on the depth of the refugium.

evermann · Post by **evermann** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 8:11 pm

Well, I plan on a 20g long...I have no means of putting it over the tank so this will be setup inside the stand, thats why I'm focusing on a no/reduced heat light source.

harbingerofthefish · Post by **harbingerofthefish** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 8:18 pm

Oh that's right, I'm the small tank guy

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 9:57 pm

Just drop me an email everman blah@access400.com, we can hook up and get you some macros, maybe meet midways or something. I'll be going out of town on Thurs-Fri, and will be in and out on the weekend of the 4th. I am sure I will be coming thru daphne at some point that weekend, so might be close to where you are.

If anyone else ever needs these let me know & they are yours for the asking.. I'd like to spread this stuff around as much as possible, so if my stock ever dies, I know where I can get some more

Amyjoe · Post by **Amyjoe** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 5:28 am

We have one of those lights (I think) it was used on our refugium and it worked really well.

Post by **snoopdog** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 8:00 am

Yeah we do, and it may say 500 watts buts its overrated, now it is bright, but not 500watts bright. Maybe 150watts.