[dfurbee]

I am getting a refugium, and have a question. Which is better, refugium mud or live sand? The refugium is a HOB with a protein skimmer, and has four areas, one is for the skimmer. I want to make sure to do the right thing, since my pH kit was bad, and have 'cooked' some fish and inverts in acidic water already My pH is corrected now, thanks to the lfs. Nedd to know what everyone thinks is best for the refugium. Thanks, Deb

[Krazy]

Deb,

I think most people use sand, I have herd some happy people braggin about the mud though

[dfurbee]

Thanks KrazyK, think I will try LS first. If I put LS in the refugium will it have to cycle or will it be OK? Thanks, Deb

[glampka]

Wouldn't you tend to use mud if you were growing mangroves? If you're keeping macroalgae I'd use sand.

[dfurbee]

Think I am going to keep microalgae, for now. Have been reading about mangroves, but think will wait a while on them.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by glampka

Wouldn't you tend to use mud if you were growing mangroves? If you're keeping macroalgae I'd use sand.

Very good point !!!

I forgot all about mangroves


It wont need to cycle, its a small amount of sand being added to your system, Just take a cup from your display and "Seed" the refugium with it

[dfurbee]

Thanks so much. Maybe soon will be able to post pics

[Cela Vie]

Originally Posted by glampka

Wouldn't you tend to use mud if you were growing mangroves? If you're keeping macroalgae I'd use sand.

What about a combination there of (i.e., a small amount (1 gallon) of mud and 3" of sand?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I think there may be some confusion here(so whats new?lol)I think she may be refering to the" miracle muds" that some places are selling for fuge's. And it really isnt mud as we would know it.It still lloks like sand maybe a tad darker.

[Cela Vie]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

I think there may be some confusion here(so whats new?lol)I think she may be refering to the" miracle muds" that some places are selling for fuge's. And it really isnt mud as we would know it.It still lloks like sand maybe a tad darker.

hehe No confusion this time (I think). I'm talking about a one gallon of CaribSea refugium mud. Same as her (I think ).

[NATIVEVAMAN]

No we are talking about the same thing.

[Salt-lick]

Is this something that will fare well (in replacement of BIOBALLS) Or am I good using bioballs\coral pieces?

[Cela Vie]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

No we are talking about the same thing.

Woah!!! That's a first!

So what's the answer? Is the combination of the two (sand and mud) ok or does one need to go one way or the other?

[reefdaddy725]

IMO if all you are going to be growing is macro then you really don't need either in the fuge the mud has minerals the sand takes up room and you already have sand in the tank. I feel that the intention of the fuge in the first place is to take out nutrents (Nitrates) in the water. If you suplement the tank with something like B Ionic you will have minerals. So I say I would rather fill it with the macro than take up room in a HOB fuge that the purpose of is to lower parimiters in. I grow mangroves and macro in my fuge/sump with some rock rubble on the bottom and the only reason there is rubble in there is for the mangrove roots to weave through and keep the plants upright. So long story short just the macro and a light in the fuge.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I think I would use the whole thing all at once.The critters living in that stuff wont live forever.

[Salt-lick]

has anyone seen the aquapods yet? from what i saw at my lfs it looks like a bag of seawater with green algea in it, it also notes something about copeopods.. its like 16.00 a bag and it seems like it is way to small (its supposed to duplicate tself in your refugium)

[e_baer]

ill tell you what! if you are looking to buy some osrt of algae with LOADS of pods on it, get it form here! i got it 3 times and my tang and algle LOVE it and my other fish like the pods!
IO have always recomended this site and always will!

Sea Life Inc.