i'm hoping this is a reasonable refugium alternative

[Ballyhoo]

would like to get some feedback. I just don't have a way of creating a Refugium that makes sense to me in this particular aquarium. There's no way to put lights inside of the back sump. I just got this idea throw a bunch of microalgae in a fishnet and lay it on the surface of the aquarium compacted tight w devil tongue and chaeto. pretty ridiculous set up, but I mean if it works I need a refugium. why not.? downside is it's taking up some aquarium real estate. Are there any other downsides to this something I'm not thinking about? It seems too simple of a refugium to work. I can even put my krakken and lid over it pretty decently.
thanks!

 

[danger88]

It might work. I think the net would get nasty though. Here is something I’m experimenting with atm. It’s a fluval breeder box that hangs on the side. It comes with the parts to run it via air pump but you can add a power head to push more water. I’m planing to do that next to increase flow. It’s been working pretty good so far, cheato has doubled in 2 weeks and I’ve already pulled some out. It’s absolutely full of pods as well. I mounted a small 6” cheatomax LED to the lid. Something like this might be worth a try.

 

[Ballyhoo]

It might work. I think the net would get nasty though. Here is something I’m experimenting with atm. It’s a fluval breeder box that hangs on the side. It comes with the parts to run it via air pump but you can add a power head to push more water. I’m planing to do that next to increase flow. It’s been working pretty good so far, cheato has doubled in 2 weeks and I’ve already pulled some out. It’s absolutely full of pods as well. I mounted a small 6” cheatomax LED to the lid. Something like this might be worth a try.

oh i think i like that.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

If you like to tinker and play around with your tank then great that's fun, but you don't need a refugium.

 

[Ballyhoo]

If you like to tinker and play around with your tank then great that's fun, but you don't need a refugium.

the whole concept a refugium, that macroalgae can outcompete nuisance algae and growth is a myth?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

the whole concept a refugium, that macroalgae can outcompete nuisance algae and growth is a myth?

To say that it is or isnt a myth, you have to define nuissance algae and also take into account many other variables that would lead to growth of what you define as "nuissance algae".

 

[Ballyhoo]

OK, well I don't know. Maybe we can talk about what the purpose of a Refugee is? I mean a straightforward answer I get for example from ChatGPT for is it helps decrease pho3 and N03 while increasing biodiversity. basically what I like to do well maybe if we can just discuss what refugium really does because I thought a refugium was really a great thing to have but now I'm getting different answers.

 

[vlangel]

would like to get some feedback. I just don't have a way of creating a Refugium that makes sense to me in this particular aquarium. There's no way to put lights inside of the back sump. I just got this idea throw a bunch of microalgae in a fishnet and lay it on the surface of the aquarium compacted tight w devil tongue and chaeto. pretty ridiculous set up, but I mean if it works I need a refugium. why not.? downside is it's taking up some aquarium real estate. Are there any other downsides to this something I'm not thinking about? It seems too simple of a refugium to work. I can even put my krakken and lid over it pretty decently.
thanks!

Why not just add attractive macroalgae into the display as part of the aquascape? That's how I have done it.

 

[CHSUB]

Why not just add attractive macroalgae into the display as part of the aquascape? That's how I have done it.

Awesome! What is the red algae?

 

[ieatbugman]

Ive been looking for something like this for so long!!!!

It might work. I think the net would get nasty though. Here is something I’m experimenting with atm. It’s a fluval breeder box that hangs on the side. It comes with the parts to run it via air pump but you can add a power head to push more water. I’m planing to do that next to increase flow. It’s been working pretty good so far, cheato has doubled in 2 weeks and I’ve already pulled some out. It’s absolutely full of pods as well. I mounted a small 6” cheatomax LED to the lid. Something like this might be worth a try.

 

[vlangel]

Awesome! What is the red algae?

There are 2 red macroalgae. Gracilaria hayi (red titan) and Botricladia (red grape caulerpa). Both are easy to grow if you have slightly higher nutrients.

 

[CHSUB]

There are 2 red macroalgae. Gracilaria hayi (red titan) and Botricladia (red grape caulerpa). Both are easy to grow if you have slightly higher nutrients.

I see now the two different ones…very nice.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

OK, well I don't know. Maybe we can talk about what the purpose of a Refugee is? I mean a straightforward answer I get for example from ChatGPT for is it helps decrease pho3 and N03 while increasing biodiversity. basically what I like to do well maybe if we can just discuss what refugium really does because I thought a refugium was really a great thing to have but now I'm getting different answers.

Refugiums have plenty of benefit no question. However on tanks that don't have a decent size space dedicated to it, the benefit is reduced and in a lot of cases not worth the extra effort/ money.

But that's up to each individual to define "worth"

 

[BriDroid]

If your goal is to just reduce NO3 and PO4, you can always carbon dose. I use vodka everyday. The cheato is nice to have for a place for pods to grow though. It really depends on what you are looking for.

 

[FUNGI]

If your goal is to just reduce NO3 and PO4, you can always carbon dose. I use vodka everyday. The cheato is nice to have for a place for pods to grow though. It really depends on what you are looking for.

And IMO, you will need a s*it load cheato to make any difference

 

[BriDroid]

And IMO, you will need a s*it load cheato to make any difference

And the bacteria from the carbon dosing is free food for your corals. I have some rock rubble in my first chamber for the pods.

 

[Bruttall]

OK, well I don't know. Maybe we can talk about what the purpose of a Refugee is? I mean a straightforward answer I get for example from ChatGPT for is it helps decrease pho3 and N03 while increasing biodiversity. basically what I like to do well maybe if we can just discuss what refugium really does because I thought a refugium was really a great thing to have but now I'm getting different answers.

This may help answer some questions. I have a Fuge on my system, for what it is worth. Gives my pods a place to breed

Should you run a refugium

Value of a refugium What is a refugium, and does it hold any value in a reef tank or FOWLR? Do you have a refugium, have plans for a refugium, have no desire for a refugium, or have lots of questions about a refugium? What is a refugium? A refugium is a chamber (whether incorporated in a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[mch1984]

Not sure if you have access to the back of the tank or how much room you have. But I've ran a fiji cube hang on the back refugium and it worked like a charm. Still have it just in case I do another small tank.

 

[Ballyhoo]

Not sure if you have access to the back of the tank or how much room you have. But I've ran a fiji cube hang on the back refugium and it worked like a charm. Still have it just in case I do another small tank.

how do they connect?

 

[mch1984]

how do they connect?

They hang on the tank, with a tube and an overflow going into the tank. it takes water from your tank and into the fuge and then back into the tank.

Fiji Cube Advanced Hang On Back Refugium Box PRO SERIES- Medium

Fiji Cube Hang On Refugium Box is a great option for growing beneficial algae to help with nutrient control in your tank and for harboring microfauna. The refugium box comes with a silent efficient pump and a unique baffle system. This design prevents the substrate and the inhabitants from being...

www.fijicube.com