refugium help

Ron Sarquiz · 01/14/2007, 05:28 AM

Hello all,
I have a question about a HOB refugium.
I have a 55gl main tank with a CPR combo HOB fuge/skimmer. In the fuge I have 2-3in of mud with 1in cover of live sand, some rubble rock and cheato. After about 6 weeks I began to notice a heavy brown algae growing in the fuge. I had been adding the top off directly to the skimmer (thinking that it would mix in the fuge faster and not harm animals in the main tank) I stopped this and started adding top off directly to the main tank again. The problem did not clear up. I decided to add 3 snails and 4 hermit crabs. After about 2 weeks the problems is completely resolved. My question is; should the fuge have snails and crabs in it and/or will they harm/prevent micro life from enter the main tank because they are consuming it in the fuge.
Thanks in advance!

Bax · 01/14/2007, 06:59 AM

Personally, I like to have snails in the fuge.

But, what are you using for top offf? RODI water and don't put it through the skimmer it will limit performace, you can drip it where it mixes with the skimmer discharge or after.

Are you growing any macro algae in there? In my 12" CPR HOT fuge I once used I had to harvest cheatomorpha weekly just to keep flow through it! No special lights at all.

JMO

Ron Sarquiz · 01/14/2007, 07:09 AM

I am using RODI water. with lights. Chesto is the only thinging growing in the fuge. For top off do most people dirp. I get 1 gl in in about 1 minute. Is that too fast?

Bax · 01/14/2007, 07:39 AM

I deliver top off with a dosing pump so it trickles in.

In a 55, adding a gallon at a time is probably OK just add it were the water is mixing well.

As for your fuge, let it settle in, if it grows more algae try to scrape it out and siphon it off or filter the discharge while you are cleaning it. The snails and chateo should win out. Every fuge I have set up ( and that's only five) has required a breakin period. Even moving one sets it back IME.

How's the skimmer performing? In that CPR configuration it is first in line right? Maybe you need to tweek it a bit??

Ron Sarquiz · 01/14/2007, 08:06 AM

How about crabs in the fuge? The skimmer is doing well, yes it is first in line.

Bax · 01/14/2007, 08:08 AM

I think that's a personal choise, there are some who would say no predators in the fuge or it's not a refugium.

frederickk · 01/14/2007, 08:15 AM

I like to put at least one snail in my fuge. Three month's later curiously I ended up with 8 baby astrea. Nice surprise. Especially for christmas.

01/14/2007, 05:28 AM	#1
Ron Sarquiz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 40	refugium help Hello all, I have a question about a HOB refugium. I have a 55gl main tank with a CPR combo HOB fuge/skimmer. In the fuge I have 2-3in of mud with 1in cover of live sand, some rubble rock and cheato. After about 6 weeks I began to notice a heavy brown algae growing in the fuge. I had been adding the top off directly to the skimmer (thinking that it would mix in the fuge faster and not harm animals in the main tank) I stopped this and started adding top off directly to the main tank again. The problem did not clear up. I decided to add 3 snails and 4 hermit crabs. After about 2 weeks the problems is completely resolved. My question is; should the fuge have snails and crabs in it and/or will they harm/prevent micro life from enter the main tank because they are consuming it in the fuge. Thanks in advance!

01/14/2007, 06:59 AM	#2
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	Personally, I like to have snails in the fuge. But, what are you using for top offf? RODI water and don't put it through the skimmer it will limit performace, you can drip it where it mixes with the skimmer discharge or after. Are you growing any macro algae in there? In my 12" CPR HOT fuge I once used I had to harvest cheatomorpha weekly just to keep flow through it! No special lights at all. JMO __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

01/14/2007, 07:39 AM	#4
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	I deliver top off with a dosing pump so it trickles in. In a 55, adding a gallon at a time is probably OK just add it were the water is mixing well. As for your fuge, let it settle in, if it grows more algae try to scrape it out and siphon it off or filter the discharge while you are cleaning it. The snails and chateo should win out. Every fuge I have set up ( and that's only five) has required a breakin period. Even moving one sets it back IME. How's the skimmer performing? In that CPR configuration it is first in line right? Maybe you need to tweek it a bit?? __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

01/14/2007, 08:08 AM	#6
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	I think that's a personal choise, there are some who would say no predators in the fuge or it's not a refugium. __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

01/14/2007, 07:09 AM	#3
Ron Sarquiz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 40	I am using RODI water. with lights. Chesto is the only thinging growing in the fuge. For top off do most people dirp. I get 1 gl in in about 1 minute. Is that too fast?

01/14/2007, 08:06 AM	#5
Ron Sarquiz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 40	How about crabs in the fuge? The skimmer is doing well, yes it is first in line.

01/14/2007, 08:15 AM	#7
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	I like to put at least one snail in my fuge. Three month's later curiously I ended up with 8 baby astrea. Nice surprise. Especially for christmas.