Dirty refugium

Dave12678 · 07/17/2007, 09:47 AM

Whats the best way to clean it out? I got some bagged sand and added the sand. I didn't do anything special to the sand just added to the fuge washed it with some salt water then cleaned out the cloudy water then start the refugium. After a few weeks I have got some build up in the fuge I would like to clean out. Whats the best way to do this? Shop vac? Also whats the best way to add live bagged sand to a system? The bag did say not to rinse it. Thanks
Dave

drummereef · 07/17/2007, 11:02 AM

If you are able to siphon out the detritus, that would be the best way imo.

Dave12678 · 07/17/2007, 11:25 AM

Sweet I am gonna try it I hope it works.

pledosophy · 07/17/2007, 11:31 AM

Why clean the refugium. Let the stuff grow, it's a refugium.

JME

MarineFishGuy · 07/17/2007, 11:32 AM

At this point, I agree, siphoning it out is your best bet. Try not to stir up the sand.

As a long term solution I would suggest using a filter pad or sock on the inlet from the tank to catch the detritus before it enters the fuge.

Currently I have my fuge setup in the sump using a Plant basket I picked up at the LFS. The sand is in the bottom of the basket so I can move it (slowly) around the sump when cleaning without the sand being on the floor of the sump. This has worked well so far.

I am using a 110 gallon tub for my sump so I didn't want a seperate fuge.

HTH,
Ken

Dave12678 · 07/17/2007, 06:19 PM

I have a sock on the end but I didn't the first week I think thats what caused it. Can you post a pic of the plant thing if you got one? Sounds nice

07/17/2007, 09:47 AM	#1
Dave12678 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 616	Dirty refugium Whats the best way to clean it out? I got some bagged sand and added the sand. I didn't do anything special to the sand just added to the fuge washed it with some salt water then cleaned out the cloudy water then start the refugium. After a few weeks I have got some build up in the fuge I would like to clean out. Whats the best way to do this? Shop vac? Also whats the best way to add live bagged sand to a system? The bag did say not to rinse it. Thanks Dave

07/17/2007, 11:02 AM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	If you are able to siphon out the detritus, that would be the best way imo. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/17/2007, 11:31 AM	#4
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Why clean the refugium. Let the stuff grow, it's a refugium. JME __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

07/17/2007, 11:25 AM	#3
Dave12678 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 616	Sweet I am gonna try it I hope it works.

07/17/2007, 11:32 AM	#5
MarineFishGuy Capn Jack Sparrow Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Central Oh-io Posts: 804	At this point, I agree, siphoning it out is your best bet. Try not to stir up the sand. As a long term solution I would suggest using a filter pad or sock on the inlet from the tank to catch the detritus before it enters the fuge. Currently I have my fuge setup in the sump using a Plant basket I picked up at the LFS. The sand is in the bottom of the basket so I can move it (slowly) around the sump when cleaning without the sand being on the floor of the sump. This has worked well so far. I am using a 110 gallon tub for my sump so I didn't want a seperate fuge. HTH, Ken

07/17/2007, 06:19 PM	#6
Dave12678 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 616	I have a sock on the end but I didn't the first week I think thats what caused it. Can you post a pic of the plant thing if you got one? Sounds nice