Fuge help

[systemfan15]

[quote="jerryc"]The Micro algae you put in the refugium takes up nutrients as Thea grow
Thais removing them as you pron the micro.

So does this mean that I should not grow micro algae? Also what are some other options of plant life I can grow in the refugium that would benefit the overall tank? Would I be able to add my purple-up supplements to my refugium?

Thank you so much for the help!

[jerryc]

No it means you wont to grow it as it is removing nutrients as it grows

Nutrients is the main risen you get bad algae outbreaks in the display

And yes it is a good place to add calcium and other things to the tank
i don't us purple-up or anything like it

[davejnz]

Refugium's can be used to serve differnt purposes.Some people grow macroalgae like chaeto or Caulerpa in them and harverst it thus exporting nutrients out of the tank.Some people use them as a dedicated place to grow microalgae that pods feed on.LR rubble is excellent for this type of fuge.It is kept free of fish/crabs/corals thus allowing the pods to reproduce without predation.Another example of a fuge would just be a remote deep sand bed that is not lit.The DSB fuge is used solely for denitification by the anaerobic bacteria that live in the bottom depths of the sandbed.

[davejnz]

Also, can someone answer my MAIN question..How exactly does the refugium filter the aqurium.

Bacteria provide the majority of the nitrification/denitrification in a reef tank.There are 2 different types of bacteria responsible for each.Aerobic(oxygen living) bacteria are capable of converting ammonia to nitrite,then nitrite to nitrate.Anaerobic(no oxygen) bacteria complete the cycle by processing nitrate.Aerobic bacteria will grow on just about any substrate in your tank.Anaerobic bacteria are only found in the low oxygen zones that are in the inner pore structure of LR and the bottom layers of sandbeds.
Algae is also a means to filter water.Algae is capable of uptaking Nitrate and other dissolved nutrients from the water thus filtering it.By growing algae and removing it,your exporting nutrients from your tank.

[systemfan15]

Ok, now what if I wanted to grow some mangroves or something like that. would this benefit my tank in any way? Also, would I be able to grow something like that in my show tank? I'm not exactly sure if that would mimic a natural reef environment with fish, crustaceans, annemones, and mangroves or would it?

[KG]

I wasn't planning on putting any new fish in til i get back from FL which wont be for about 20 some days. And all of my fish were removed from the show tank about 20 days ago, so i'm sure the ich will be gone. [/color]

40 days should do it, but six to eight weeks would be best. No offense, but I don't think you get the jist of my post, which is if you continue to add fish without QTing them, you are going to keep getting ich. It may not happen the first or second time you put something in there, but eventually it will happen.

How exactly does the refugium filter the aqurium.

I think your question on what to put in a fuge has been pretty well answered, but just in case: aragonite (sand), live rock (optional), macro algaes, and maybe some mangrove plants. A fuge "filters" the water by removing nitrates and phosphates via the macro algaes and mangrove plants. The live rock, both in your tank and in your fuge, provide the biological filtration that will help naturally reduce nitrates.

And also, will I need my millenium bio filters as well?

They won't hurt especially until your fuge has been set-up and matured.

And do I only need live rock in my refugium.

No, not if your live rock is your only form of biological filtration, ie no other mechanical filtration of live sand bed. it would be too small of an area for the amount of live rock, total, that would be necessary for this.

Now to sum things up... I need a refugium, my live rock, and my protein skimmer. Is that all the filtration I need in my 55 gal??

I wouldn't say a fuge is a need. A skimmer may or may not be depending on if it's FO or reef. Live rock is always good, but also not a need if you use some other media to grow the beneficial bacteria or employ a DSB.

Good Luck!

KG

Edited to add: That skimmer is a POS. Might consider upgrading to a Remora or Coralife Superskimmer.

[davejnz]

Come on guys,lets keep this civil.I don't think his qusetion was clearly answered thus my response.His skimmer might not be one of the better one's but thats all he's got right now.
"I wouldn't say a fuge is a need. A skimmer may or may not be depending on if it's FO or reef. Live rock is always good, but also not a need if you use some other media to grow the beneficial bacteria or employ a DSB."
I agree that fuges aren't needed,,my last 4 reef tanks includeing my current 2 do not have fuges yet i have undetectabl NO3 and PO4 levels.I also feed heavily,rarely fo WC's and
have used/am useing 3 totally different methods(DSB,SSB,and BB)to run a reef.
tank.
"And also, will I need my millenium bio filters as well?

They won't hurt especially until your fuge has been set-up and matured"
I disagree,all that is needed for good biological filtration is LR/and or LS and plenty of water movement in the tank.External Bio filters disrupt the balance between aerobic/anaerobic bacteria in the tank.In the end,they lead to excess NO3 levels and the mechanical filter pads in them are even worse.

[KG]

I don't think I was uncivil, but I do detect a little bit of hostility in his posts. I merely wanted to point out a huge mistake of not QTing and the consequences of not doing so and he was clearly ungrateful and rude about it. I think everyone did mention what should go in a fuge and a lot of it is personal choice. And last, that skimmer is a POS. No if, ands, or buts about it.

KG

[davejnz]

Nor do I think you were,I just wanted to get his thread back on the right track. :D

[davejnz]

Also, the reason why I'm gettin the refugium is to lower my nitrate levels, how does it do this? .

From what i just reviewed in this thread,the question wasn't clearly answered.Perhaps he might of came off the wrong way but then again this thread does not pertain to Ich or Q-tine so perhaps your post might of came off the wrong way too.Anyways,back to the discussion.