Refugium

GUMBALL · 12/04/2012, 02:00 PM

I currently have a 39g cadlights AIO tank with 40 pounds of live rock with rubble rock and some sand in refugium. I've read conflicting posts on whether or not to have sand in the refugium? And if I should take it out what is the best method?

mikeyVR4 · 12/04/2012, 02:49 PM

Sand in the refugium is not needed. I have read that some mud (sea mud) could be used but is also not required.

For my 75 gallon tank, I use a 20g sump and have only live rock in the refugium.

Jpruitt546 · 12/04/2012, 11:00 PM

I agree sand is not need i have 12 pounds of Figi Mud andi am much happier with the mud than i ever was with sand.

mtcoins123 · 12/04/2012, 11:33 PM

I dont like the mud imo the surface of the mud seals up and doesnt allow for the beneficial microbial life to flourish the way it could i like rubble a lot more than sand though too i seem to have better copipod production with rubble than with sand or mud.... my plants do just fine clinging to rocks too so i dont have anything smaller than a pea in my refug and i am happy with it

horwitzs · 12/04/2012, 11:49 PM

Not necessary but I like a little so any critters I throw in there are comfy. For example a nassarius to eat up any food bits that settle in there.

Jpruitt546 · 12/05/2012, 04:31 AM

Forgot to mention I took approximately 20 pounds of LR rubble and placed it into the mud then placed a 1/2 pound of chaeto on top. So far so good, my first go around with the mud.

Palidora5 · 12/05/2012, 04:51 AM

I have been told no sand or mud just rock and cheato it's a lot easier to clean that way. Seems to be working so far

thegrun · 12/05/2012, 08:04 AM

If you don't have enough room for a deep sand bed (4" minimum) I would skip the sand and just go with rock and chaeto. The sand makes periodic cleaning of the refugium more difficult with few advantages.

Fizz71 · 12/05/2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

If you don't have enough room for a deep sand bed (4" minimum) I would skip the sand and just go with rock and chaeto. The sand makes periodic cleaning of the refugium more difficult with few advantages.

+1 RDSBs are great, and I had read that they don't have to be huge to be effective, but they do have to be deep like grun said.

12/04/2012, 02:00 PM	#1
GUMBALL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NORTHERN NEW JERSEY Posts: 12	Refugium I currently have a 39g cadlights AIO tank with 40 pounds of live rock with rubble rock and some sand in refugium. I've read conflicting posts on whether or not to have sand in the refugium? And if I should take it out what is the best method?

12/04/2012, 11:33 PM	#4
mtcoins123 Far From Average Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Stopitithurtsalready Posts: 467	I dont like the mud imo the surface of the mud seals up and doesnt allow for the beneficial microbial life to flourish the way it could i like rubble a lot more than sand though too i seem to have better copipod production with rubble than with sand or mud.... my plants do just fine clinging to rocks too so i dont have anything smaller than a pea in my refug and i am happy with it __________________ I would rather be known as an honest sinner than a lying hypocrite Fubar, my life has become..... Current Tank Info: The power company has put the replacement meter bearings on hold until someone else hooks it up :D

12/04/2012, 11:49 PM	#5
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	Not necessary but I like a little so any critters I throw in there are comfy. For example a nassarius to eat up any food bits that settle in there. __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

12/05/2012, 04:51 AM	#7
Palidora5 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 54	I have been told no sand or mud just rock and cheato it's a lot easier to clean that way. Seems to be working so far __________________ 150 gallon dt 55 gallon sump

12/04/2012, 02:49 PM	#2
mikeyVR4 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: usa Posts: 209	Sand in the refugium is not needed. I have read that some mud (sea mud) could be used but is also not required. For my 75 gallon tank, I use a 20g sump and have only live rock in the refugium.

12/04/2012, 11:00 PM	#3
Jpruitt546 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 74	I agree sand is not need i have 12 pounds of Figi Mud andi am much happier with the mud than i ever was with sand.

12/05/2012, 04:31 AM	#6
Jpruitt546 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 74	Forgot to mention I took approximately 20 pounds of LR rubble and placed it into the mud then placed a 1/2 pound of chaeto on top. So far so good, my first go around with the mud.

12/05/2012, 08:04 AM	#8
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you don't have enough room for a deep sand bed (4" minimum) I would skip the sand and just go with rock and chaeto. The sand makes periodic cleaning of the refugium more difficult with few advantages.