DIY Refugium

[Amantijt]

Hi I’m interested in possible ways to make a refugium better than what I have now on my 40gal petco tank. Currently running an aqua clear 70 as a refugium that I modified with an IM fuge light along with an aqua clear 50 just with bio media in it. I havnt seen much growth of my macro algae. I’d prefer something simple and effective and have looked at hang on the back refugiums but that price is ridiculous for a box that holds water and a pump(3x the price of my tank lol). Hopefully someone can show me what success you have had and can point me in the right direction to better my current refugium. Thanks!

 

[McPuff]

How old is your tank? If there aren't many nutrients, the macro won't grow.

 

[Amantijt]

How old is your tank? If there aren't many nutrients, the macro won't grow.

5 weeks going on 6, dry rock and i used turbo start and fritzyme 9 religiously, i got copepods thriving and some algae growth.

 

[McPuff]

Ok, so the tank is still young and probably not producing much of a nutrient load. You'll have slow growth until your fish biomass is higher. I wouldn't worry about macro much at this point.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I made eggcrate compartments in mine. Nice thing is I can take them out easy for cleaning the sump. I’m using a 40 long. 20 years ago I siliconed plexi baffles in, but needed to make a few more easy to maintain compartments. Also it allows for future changes.