Retire the Refugium ? Can this be?

lanshark · 03/07/2010, 12:16 AM

Noting a post from another forum and would like to know if those with experience in the process of dosing bacteria and Vodka dosing would concur that retiring the refugium makes sense;

Quote "I just started this method 3 weeks ago. My corals are looking great. Keep in mind, if you have a refugium you will need to remove it at about 2 weeks of starting MB7. Dosing the vodka will eventually starve your chaeto and cause it to release unwanted nutrients in your tank."

Untamed12 · 03/07/2010, 12:21 AM

I dose VSV, and while my chaeto did die back...I still have a refugium and still grow chaeto. I just grow less than before. No harm came to my tank when the chaeto died back.

Amphiprion · 03/07/2010, 12:32 AM

Keep in mind that refugia serve other purposes than just growing algae--they are a safe haven for many other organisms. I see no reason to take it offline, even if the Chaetomorpha doesn't grow (or even dies completely), unless the "refugium" only had Chaetomorpha in it to start with.

pledosophy · 03/07/2010, 01:29 AM

I am more interested in my refugium for it's ability to produce food for the display then I am for it's ability to remove nitrates. If your just looking to remove nitrates there are easier ways then with chaeto.

I have been carbon dosing for years, never had any die off from the refugium. JME

Stanley-Reefer · 03/07/2010, 07:26 AM

I'd have a fuge just for weird stuff if I had the room, but I've never had one in any of my reefs over the last 13 years.

Vodka and MB7/prodibio; phosphate reactors do decrease the intentional use for them.

Other benefits are natural planktonic creatures and the continuation of a 24h light cycle.

03/07/2010, 12:16 AM	#1
lanshark It's Landshark, aka SNL Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 359	Retire the Refugium ? Can this be? Noting a post from another forum and would like to know if those with experience in the process of dosing bacteria and Vodka dosing would concur that retiring the refugium makes sense; Quote "I just started this method 3 weeks ago. My corals are looking great. Keep in mind, if you have a refugium you will need to remove it at about 2 weeks of starting MB7. Dosing the vodka will eventually starve your chaeto and cause it to release unwanted nutrients in your tank." __________________ "Live for tomorrow, yesterday is forever gone ..." Current Tank Info: Mixed Reef 66"x24"x22", 20g Sump/refugium 20g In-line Grow Out tank

03/07/2010, 12:21 AM	#2
Untamed12 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,578	I dose VSV, and while my chaeto did die back...I still have a refugium and still grow chaeto. I just grow less than before. No harm came to my tank when the chaeto died back. __________________ Fishlist: Tangs: Yellow, Vlamingi, Blonde Naso, Unicorn, Atlantic Blue Others: Maroon Clown(s), Foxface, Majestic Angel, Hawkfish and more.. Current Tank Info: 400gal Envision Acrylic reef started 04/07

03/07/2010, 12:32 AM	#3
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	Keep in mind that refugia serve other purposes than just growing algae--they are a safe haven for many other organisms. I see no reason to take it offline, even if the Chaetomorpha doesn't grow (or even dies completely), unless the "refugium" only had Chaetomorpha in it to start with. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

03/07/2010, 01:29 AM	#4
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I am more interested in my refugium for it's ability to produce food for the display then I am for it's ability to remove nitrates. If your just looking to remove nitrates there are easier ways then with chaeto. I have been carbon dosing for years, never had any die off from the refugium. JME

03/07/2010, 07:26 AM	#5
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	I'd have a fuge just for weird stuff if I had the room, but I've never had one in any of my reefs over the last 13 years. Vodka and MB7/prodibio; phosphate reactors do decrease the intentional use for them. Other benefits are natural planktonic creatures and the continuation of a 24h light cycle.