What a complex hobby ...
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Here is a video of how simple mine was. Just an acrylic cube and a drain hose from the DT. With a 150 watt MH and the cheapest 10k De bulb on eBay.
I said that at first. Then...Too bad I can't grow Xenia...they always die on me. I Never been able to grow them.
Here is more information around my current set up and why I've been looking into a Xenia dominant refugium.
My current system is 190 Gallon display, with a berlin style sump. The external refugium (57 gallons) is fed via manifold from my main return pump. The fuge, empties back in the filter sock section of the sump. Yes, I am aware of the fauna that could be fed to my system to feed the fish, etc.... but I had set it up that way on purpose. Mainly as I didnt want to clean my sump every other week. I also run a 4' Lifereef skimmer which really pulls the gunk out of my system. Lastly, I use ROX carbon changed monthly and Phosguard for phosphate removal. FWIW, I despise GFO with a passion, but that is topic of discussion for another day
When I had initially set up the refugium, I used Miracle Mud for the substrate, seeded with the refugium kit from Indo Pacific Sea Farms, and even went so far as to get the best lights I could and went with (2) Kessil H380's. For some reason I can not grow macro algae to save my life. The only Macro Algae that will grow is small sea grass, which I am ok with. However, the Red Sea Xenia I placed in there just keep growing and growing. So a couple weeks ago I started investigating if having a Xenia only refugium would be as efficient at removing Nitrate and Phosphate as Chaetomorpha? I believe that Xenia does indeed eat up the Nitrates as no matter how much I feed and I do feed quite a bit, my Nitrates are always at Zero. Phosphates on the other hand are just over .03ppm @ 12ppb. So I may need to start dosing Potassium Nitrate to help bring down the Phosphate. Again, patience and as Tony V said tuning it correctly. The main reason I asked the original question is that I didnt think I was the first person to embark on this type of fuge and that there had to be others that have already been and are down this road.
The current photo period is reverse of the display tank and runs from 9PM to 9AM. I haven't seen much variation in my pH and it stays fairly steady between 8.10 and 8.22.
As for additives, etc.... I use a dosing pump to add BRS 2 Part to keep dKH (8.4) and Ca (433). I also dose twice a day Zeovit Phols Extra and AALPS, which could be my my Xenia grows as fast as it does. Additionally, I feed daily one cube of American Reef HPD and one sheet of Nori every other day. This keeps my fish super fat and also helps to feed the corals.
Hi Len, I have mine H380 set to Growth mode as well. The Xenia is growing really fast, but I also have feather and grape caulerpa as well as small sea grass growing as well which seems to be growing much faster than the Xenia. I'll post a picture of my fuge later this evening.I just want to confirm that you are seeing good Xenia growth with you h380. I have a h80 over my small fuge and just added some Xenia that friend gave me but I wasn't sure if the spectrum would work. What color setting are you using (I have mine set to growth)
Thanks Len
Hi Len, I have mine H380 set to Growth mode as well. The Xenia is growing really fast, but I also have feather and grape caulerpa as well as small sea grass growing as well which seems to be growing much faster than the Xenia. I'll post a picture of my fuge later this evening.
I'm trying to figure out how you connected to the tank... need explanation!That's awesome! I love pulsing xenias.
Where are locatedI think I’m going to put some pulsing Xenia in my fuge. It can’t hurt. Anyone have a favorite pulsing Xenia they want to recommend? Tidal gardens has some for sale. Should I look anywhere else?