Starting a new tank and trying to plan out my sump.
I do want to have a refugium growing chaeto algae. My question is what should I use as biological media? I originally thought marine pure but after researching and seeing the aluminum talks, I don't want to risk it.
Do I need a sand bed in my refugium? Would some dry rock from brs suffice?
In the sump I plan on having filter socks, protein skimmer , filter pad and media bag with carbon.
I use Marine Pure cubes several layers deep. I recently had an ICP test and aluminum was fine. There are a lot of great holes for pods and other critters to breed. And no filter socks anymore. The Chaeto and critters love the nutrition from the DT overflow. Changing and cleaning filter socks was a major pain. A good strong light is the key. With just the refugium and Skimmer (no GFO, reactors..) I feed my fish a lot and still have to dose phosphate (as phosphorous) and nitrates to maintain them them at .02 and 2 respectively.