Refugia - How and Why

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/15/2014, 06:09 AM

I set up my first refugium (the 20 long) using half Kent Bio-Sediment and half aragonite sand as a substrate. It was snow white and reflected light very well.
I started off with a ball of chaeto that took off and grew like a weed. I would need to prune it weekly and even the it nearly filled the tank when due for a pruning. Then I added the ten gallon tank as a seahorse tank. I went to visit the good folks at http://seahorsesource.com/?page_id=2 and got a pair of H.Reidi. As I was leaving I noticed a pretty aquatic plant in their DT in their living room. I remarked how pretty it was and they bagged a starter up for me at no charge.
I took it home and put it the 20 long with my chaeto. Man this stuff took off like you wouldn't believe. I later looked it up and identified it as the demon CAULERPA Prolifera. Well in no time my ball of chaeto began to wither and die. I tossed it. I have been using Caulerpa Prolifera as my main means of nutrient export ever since.
The seahorses were lost to stray voltage from a light fixture that failed.
I took a small start from the 20 long and put it in the 10, again it took off quick.
Both tanks are lighted using 6500K spiral CFL bulbs (2 on the 20, one on the 10)
Attached are photos showing both refugia before and after a cleaning/harvesting. While cleaning them their drains run into the plastic jar drilled full of holes with a filter sock inside.
After a cleaning they are fed phyto which I am culturing along with rotifers in the hopes of breed true percs. The pump is turned off for 30 - 45 minutes then plugged back in bypassing all filtration and feeding the return for the DT.

http://s33.photobucket.com/user/unclesalty2/slideshow/

__________________

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/15/2014, 09:09 AM

I use refugiums rather than GFO reactors for phosphate removal.
They are good for nitrate removal as well.
They have proven to be much more effective and a whole lot more interesting.
(some of the pictures were not intended for this post, I still have much to learn when it comes to computers)

ganjero · 04/15/2014, 09:27 AM

Where did you buy the caulerpa prolifera? I haven trying to get it but it always melts during shipping.

Uncle Salty 05 · 04/15/2014, 09:31 AM

I got mine from Sea Horse Source which is only a 2 hour drive for me.
If you are interested, I would be happy to bag some up for you and send it to you. You just pay shipping cost for UPS second day.
You will need a substrate in your refugium.

04/15/2014, 06:09 AM	#1
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Refugia - How and Why I set up my first refugium (the 20 long) using half Kent Bio-Sediment and half aragonite sand as a substrate. It was snow white and reflected light very well. I started off with a ball of chaeto that took off and grew like a weed. I would need to prune it weekly and even the it nearly filled the tank when due for a pruning. Then I added the ten gallon tank as a seahorse tank. I went to visit the good folks at http://seahorsesource.com/?page_id=2 and got a pair of H.Reidi. As I was leaving I noticed a pretty aquatic plant in their DT in their living room. I remarked how pretty it was and they bagged a starter up for me at no charge. I took it home and put it the 20 long with my chaeto. Man this stuff took off like you wouldn't believe. I later looked it up and identified it as the demon CAULERPA Prolifera. Well in no time my ball of chaeto began to wither and die. I tossed it. I have been using Caulerpa Prolifera as my main means of nutrient export ever since. The seahorses were lost to stray voltage from a light fixture that failed. I took a small start from the 20 long and put it in the 10, again it took off quick. Both tanks are lighted using 6500K spiral CFL bulbs (2 on the 20, one on the 10) Attached are photos showing both refugia before and after a cleaning/harvesting. While cleaning them their drains run into the plastic jar drilled full of holes with a filter sock inside. After a cleaning they are fed phyto which I am culturing along with rotifers in the hopes of breed true percs. The pump is turned off for 30 - 45 minutes then plugged back in bypassing all filtration and feeding the return for the DT. http://s33.photobucket.com/user/unclesalty2/slideshow/ __________________ __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/15/2014, 09:09 AM	#2
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	I use refugiums rather than GFO reactors for phosphate removal. They are good for nitrate removal as well. They have proven to be much more effective and a whole lot more interesting. (some of the pictures were not intended for this post, I still have much to learn when it comes to computers) __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/15/2014, 09:31 AM	#4
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	I got mine from Sea Horse Source which is only a 2 hour drive for me. If you are interested, I would be happy to bag some up for you and send it to you. You just pay shipping cost for UPS second day. You will need a substrate in your refugium. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

04/15/2014, 09:27 AM	#3
ganjero saiperchémibatteilcorazon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,027	Where did you buy the caulerpa prolifera? I haven trying to get it but it always melts during shipping.