refugium

[BOBBARKER68]

Should i put sand in my refuge? Pros and cons? I plan on having live rock, cheato and som mangroves.

 

thanks

[seabass]

IMO more cons than pros. It has to be kept clean or you'll have problems. It's just easier to keep a bare bottom fuge clean (and it isn't needed for chaeto algae). However, of it's needed for something (like seagrass), then by all means use sand.

 

Macro algae will usually utilize more nutrients than mangroves. Although, IMO, mangroves look more attractive than a ball of chaeto, but have their own demands.

 

There are decorative macros which can be quite attractive in a display fuge. Although, be aware, that certain species could go sexual and release a ton of nutrients back into the water (should conditions for algae growth decline).

[righttirefire]

I'm planning a deep sand bed in my refugium with chaeto. Over 4" of arag-live Bahamas oolite... research and experiment

[louy99]

I say pass n the sand.

[yomon347]

Sand is fine until it gets full and starts releasing phosphate and nitrate into your tank. If you do sand keep it clean and replace it every so often.

 

I would pass on sand in a fuge and use live rock rubble i could easily clean if anything.

[Tamberav]

Pass, in most cases, the fuge isn't even a big enough space to warrant a DSB in there.

 

Plus you have to replace it every so often, meh.

[printerdown01]

I've run three thanks with fuges all have had sand. I had so many problems with the last fuge in terms of detritus buildup that I would NEVER do sand again. Too hard to keep clean. Having a fuge is like having a second tank to clean. Keep it simple!

[wrassegauche17]

sand gives me anxiety

[bmoore92]

Ive always read that there is a life expectancy on a DSB so I would just go bare bottom and keep it siphoned.