trying to make a decision about my refugium. Sand or mud?

[las]

las, my system has a area in the sump about the same size as what you describe. In that area, I have both a shallow sandbed and macroalgae. While the flow through rate is certainly higher than desired for a fuge, the macroalgae is certainly able to pull enough nutrients from the water to show significant growth. I didn't put a DSB in this area, because I have a DSB in the display, but I see no reason that combining the two wouldn't give you some benefit. Certainly its not an excuse to not keep up with your water changes, but in my mind some exportation of nitrates through a DSB and macroalgae throughout the week is better than none. The larger remote DSB is certainly a better option (although a fairly expensive one if you are throwing all that sand out once a year or so), but if you don't have room to do it, you don't.

Well, I used to have a 5" oolitic dsb in my display. I decided to pull it out because the top layer was clumping up for some reason. Also, I was worrying about detritus accumulation. Now, i have no sand in my display at all. My corals grew faster before. I really think that the dissolutuion of sugar fine oolitic sand really helps corals grow. I really cant decide which way to go here. I def do not have room for a DSB bucket. If i did, i would for sure be doing what sasquatch said. I guess Im left to decide between a macroalgae fuge with just Chaeto, a 5" DSB/mud mix with chaeto or a 1" mud bed with chaeto. I would change out 1/3 to 1/2 of this sand bed every year. I gotta make a decision!

 

[Sasquatch]

if your still bouncing ideas around what about a turf algae scrubber and a mud pit?

 

[las]

if your still bouncing ideas around what about a turf algae scrubber and a mud pit?

According to everything ive read, an algae turf scrubber would need to be way bigger than i have room for.

 

[Sasquatch]

According to everything ive read, an algae turf scrubber would need to be way bigger than i have room for.

I think they are 1 sq inch per gallon? so a 12x12 square is more that enough

 

[las]

I think they are 1 sq inch per gallon? so a 12x12 square is more that enough

really? Calfo says they are too big for casual aquarists. What are the basic parts? A mud bed and on top of that some screens with hair algae growing on them? 24 hr light period?

 

[Sasquatch]

the mud is only for your pleasure IMO lol, its just craft plastic mesh scuffed up with sand paper, a frame to suspend it with water running down and lighting, I pm'd you the guys name so check it out and see what you think

 

[jonzee2006]

you don't really need any of that stuff bro fuges or dedicated thingamigies carbon, gfo,a good skimmer, water changes and restraint is all(over feeding, too many fish ect.) and you'll be fine. I seen tanks with all the bells and whistles that look like crap and I've seen tanks with nothing more then the things that I just mentioned that thrive and do great.(just to be thorough I've seen it the other way also). but if you want something to help with nutrient export try neozeo or similar media. I believe that they are just as if not more effective as a dedicated thingamibober with less headache. but in the end it all works fine just depends on what you feel like putting up with.

 

[las]

the mud is only for your pleasure IMO lol, its just craft plastic mesh scuffed up with sand paper, a frame to suspend it with water running down and lighting, I pm'd you the guys name so check it out and see what you think

Thanks for the PM... That unit he enginerred is really cool! Im just not gonna go the ATS route. I have a good skimmer and i like my water to be clear. It sounds like that ATS can handle a massive bioload. It really is amazing!

 

[Sasquatch]

the ATS concept has been around for a long time, several big public aquariums tried it but dumped it pretty quick, the one you looked at I think is a modified version of the original and can be very effective but has to be maintained, hope you can post some pics and results with the build, let me know please if you do, and good luck!

 

[las]

the ATS concept has been around for a long time, several big public aquariums tried it but dumped it pretty quick, the one you looked at I think is a modified version of the original and can be very effective but has to be maintained, hope you can post some pics and results with the build, let me know please if you do, and good luck!

Thanks for all your help! I just decided that the 5" mixed mud/DSB in my fuge was the best route for me. Ill let you know how it goes.