I have ordered my tank and was thinking to set up a refugium. I liked the idea of a natural way to reduce nutrients and also a good way to keep a healthy population of things like copepods. I am looking to have a mixed reef, with LPS and softies to start, but would like to also have some SPS too.
I was listening to Lou from Tropic Marin talking about carbon dosing, and his thoughts on why everyone should do it, and how it helps corals better uptake phosphates, for use, through bacteria. Was wondering if this is beneficial and possible while using a refugium as well? What about having a smaller refugium and carbon dosing?
Also, I have read about refugiums uptake nutrients and elements like calcium, magnesium and other trace elements that corals need to grow. How would I know how much is being used by corals vs the refugium? I was going to use something like the red sea 4 part dosing system but they say it's not to be used if you've got a refugium, could I just dose extra using the 4 part or just add extra trace using something like the tropic Marin a and k? What dosing methods do people use? Is something like the red sea 7 part a better option, or using something like all for reef? Do I need to supplement extra trace elements or use something like the bright well cheato gro?
I was listening to Lou from Tropic Marin talking about carbon dosing, and his thoughts on why everyone should do it, and how it helps corals better uptake phosphates, for use, through bacteria. Was wondering if this is beneficial and possible while using a refugium as well? What about having a smaller refugium and carbon dosing?
Also, I have read about refugiums uptake nutrients and elements like calcium, magnesium and other trace elements that corals need to grow. How would I know how much is being used by corals vs the refugium? I was going to use something like the red sea 4 part dosing system but they say it's not to be used if you've got a refugium, could I just dose extra using the 4 part or just add extra trace using something like the tropic Marin a and k? What dosing methods do people use? Is something like the red sea 7 part a better option, or using something like all for reef? Do I need to supplement extra trace elements or use something like the bright well cheato gro?