how often to clean fuge ???

wetone · 05/23/2007, 07:24 AM

I have a 10g tank that is lit on opposite schedule of my main tank.....it is loaded with chaeto , LS and some LR rubble.............the chaeto is growing like a weed and there is absolutely NO unwanted algae in the main tank now (my reason for starting this fuge about 6 weeks ago !!)

...there is however some red algae growing on the rubble rock and some areas of the LS, should I siphon this out, along with any other "junk" algae so the chaeto is really the main thing growing in there?

alan214 · 05/23/2007, 08:00 AM

Here's what I do. First, if possible, disable the flow of water from the fuge to the display tank. This is to keep the stirred up detritus, etc. from making its way to the sump/display.

Then, just blow off the LR with a turkey baster and allow that to settle onto the LS. Then siphon out any detritus, cyano, diatoms, etc. from the surface. Then replace the water you just took out with new saltwater. Wait about 30 minutes more before you restore the flow from your fuge back to your display so things can stabilize.

I do this approximately every 2-3 months or as needed.

nyvp · 05/23/2007, 08:13 AM

when I do my monthy water change I just suck from the silt on bottom.

DSMpunk · 05/23/2007, 12:11 PM

I just remove the detrius as it builds up. I actually try to leave some of the nuissance algae (diatoms cyano etc) in my refugium.

05/23/2007, 07:24 AM	#1
wetone Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cheshire CT Posts: 206	how often to clean fuge ??? I have a 10g tank that is lit on opposite schedule of my main tank.....it is loaded with chaeto , LS and some LR rubble.............the chaeto is growing like a weed and there is absolutely NO unwanted algae in the main tank now (my reason for starting this fuge about 6 weeks ago !!) ...there is however some red algae growing on the rubble rock and some areas of the LS, should I siphon this out, along with any other "junk" algae so the chaeto is really the main thing growing in there?

05/23/2007, 08:00 AM	#2
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	Here's what I do. First, if possible, disable the flow of water from the fuge to the display tank. This is to keep the stirred up detritus, etc. from making its way to the sump/display. Then, just blow off the LR with a turkey baster and allow that to settle onto the LS. Then siphon out any detritus, cyano, diatoms, etc. from the surface. Then replace the water you just took out with new saltwater. Wait about 30 minutes more before you restore the flow from your fuge back to your display so things can stabilize. I do this approximately every 2-3 months or as needed. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

05/23/2007, 12:11 PM	#4
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	I just remove the detrius as it builds up. I actually try to leave some of the nuissance algae (diatoms cyano etc) in my refugium. __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150

05/23/2007, 08:13 AM	#3
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	when I do my monthy water change I just suck from the silt on bottom.