ONLY live rock & sand in a fuge, will it work?

D-Rod · 03/04/2007, 11:18 AM

I was wondering if you get the same benefits in a fuge with only live rock and 2 to 3 inches of sand only as opposed to

Live rock, sand and "macro algae".

Will the live rock & sand still have the same benefits of removing nitrates?

Thanks

Chris Clark · 03/04/2007, 12:33 PM

its all preference I would say that if you used chaeto or caulerpa it would help a little, but I dont even run a fuge at all in my sump on my 110, and my 120 I ran a fuge with sand, LR, and caulerpa.. I honestly am not sure if it makes that big of difference other than breeding grounds for pods. if you do decide to go with macro do chaeto it requires less lighting (as far as length you leave it on) than caulerpa.

Indermark · 03/04/2007, 12:34 PM

live rock acts as a filter as well, put some in your sump all its gonna do is filter and lower nitrates. I just started a 75 and was logging all the tests I would do. After the cycle the nitrates were 20 ppm I tested them two days later and the rock took them down to 10 ppm. I also double tested to make sure I didn't make a mistake.

Chris Clark · 03/04/2007, 12:44 PM

yea liverock makes a good difference, definetly keep that in yuor sump as well.

pjf · 03/04/2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by D-Rod
I was wondering if you get the same benefits in a fuge with only live rock and 2 to 3 inches of sand only as opposed to

Live rock, sand and "macro algae".

Will the live rock & sand still have the same benefits of removing nitrates?

Thanks

Iâ€™m assuming that you will not have lights or macro-algae in your refugium. If so, then here are two common types of unlit refugiums:

â€¢ Deep Sand Bed (DSB) â€“ A DSB should have adequate flow over the top to prevent detritus from accumulating. A DSB relies on microbes for filtration.
â€¢ Cryptic Zone â€“ A cryptic zone refugium relies on sponges and low-light organisms for NNR. Here are some links to more information:
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...article_id=544
http://www.dynamicecomorphology.com/...cmatseries.htm

03/04/2007, 11:18 AM	#1
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	ONLY live rock & sand in a fuge, will it work? I was wondering if you get the same benefits in a fuge with only live rock and 2 to 3 inches of sand only as opposed to Live rock, sand and "macro algae". Will the live rock & sand still have the same benefits of removing nitrates? Thanks __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.

03/04/2007, 12:33 PM	#2
Chris Clark Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Peters, MO Posts: 37	its all preference I would say that if you used chaeto or caulerpa it would help a little, but I dont even run a fuge at all in my sump on my 110, and my 120 I ran a fuge with sand, LR, and caulerpa.. I honestly am not sure if it makes that big of difference other than breeding grounds for pods. if you do decide to go with macro do chaeto it requires less lighting (as far as length you leave it on) than caulerpa.

03/04/2007, 12:34 PM	#3
Indermark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, Illinois Posts: 670	live rock acts as a filter as well, put some in your sump all its gonna do is filter and lower nitrates. I just started a 75 and was logging all the tests I would do. After the cycle the nitrates were 20 ppm I tested them two days later and the rock took them down to 10 ppm. I also double tested to make sure I didn't make a mistake.

03/04/2007, 12:44 PM	#4
Chris Clark Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Peters, MO Posts: 37	yea liverock makes a good difference, definetly keep that in yuor sump as well.