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After several months of dealing with nitrates in
the 15-25 ppm range, the decision was made in'01
to add a refugium. But due to severe space restrictions,
the best 
I could get away with was a 29g 'tall'
glass tank with a 96W Powercompact Smartlight.
As per their instructions, I put down a slope
of Inland Aquatics' Dry Oolitic Aragonite sand
from about 4" in the back to 1" in front.
Then I added a layer of Live Oolitic Aragonite
Sand for seeding and finally, a thin layer of
CaribSea Reef Sand to hold it all down. I then
ordered IA's Flora and Fauna Starter Kits, the
ISPF's "Mix
'n Match Special" for diversity, got
a couple chunks of cured LR locally, and fired
the thing up. |
| Nothing. |
Oh sure, the macroalgae
began taking off after awhile and watching the
'pods, worms, and shrimp multiply was absolutely
fascinating, but the nitrates didn't budge. For
months. Then one day miraculously, they dropped to practically nothing. I had
to do the test several times to make sure it wasn't me. This took exactly half
a year. |
| can't
say, however, that I'm totally pleased with this
set-up either (what else is new, huh?). First,
and again because of space, the refugium is actually
on the OTHER SIDE
OF THE ROOMfrom
the tankwhich |
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necessitates an
8ft piece of tubing which must snake it's
way across the room to return water from to
refugium to the sump. Second, because the refugium
tank is not of the 'reef ready' variety,
the 'J' tube leading to the overflow
box must be continually monitored for the formation
of air bubbles which can (and have) broken
the siphon. Theoretically, this could empty
a substantial amount of the main tank's
water volume onto the floor although realistically,
that would take quite some time. I have had
to mop up a gallon or two though. And finally,
I've come to the conclusion that it was
the refugium that introduced the first real
outbreak of cyanobacteria the main tank has
ever had. This was a real battle to eliminate
through constant water changes, siphoning,
and carbon, but we've finally got it
under control without resorting to chemicals.
To help reduce the chances of reoccurrence,
we have stepped up the water movement in the
refugium considerably.
On the positive side though, it HAS done its job in keeping the nitrates
down (of course NOW the theory being put forth is that a bit of nitrates
are actually good for a reeftank.), it provides the main tank with food
through the 'pods and macro, and in a pinch, I can store a frag in
it for a day or to without any harm. I can therefore say I recommend refugiums
wholeheartedly. Just not set up like this. |
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