AquaFuge refugium

[flameangel]

I am thinking of switching to a refugium system. Will this system help my nitrate problem? I had a high nitrate (80) problem but after four 50% water changes (once a week) I have brought the nitrates down to 25. I have looked at the AquaFuge Pro system at my LFS and I really like the set up. Does anyone have any input on the AquaFuge? How easy is the changeover? What algae should I put in?

Thanks for the help!

[reef23]

Hi
I added a 10g fuge under my 20g and within a week the Nitrates whent from 20 to 0ppms. The best macro out there is cheato and once it starts growing it takes off( i have to trim about a baseball size a week off it ) plus the best benefit is it doesnt go sexual and spoiling you water and great for pod breeding.
Dont know about the aquafuge system but a refugium has definatly improved my water quality 10 fold. I havent used any other method of mechanical filtration in over 2 months and my phosphates and nitates are undetectable. I would also reccomend a 24/7 light cycle ( some will disagree) but its worked for me.No major algae outbreaks..OH Hell, I probably jinxed myself!
Hope this helps.
P.S. if space allows put the refugium above the display so the little critters in there dont get chewed up by a pump. Thats the only difference I wish I had with mine but I have no space.

[johnmackay70]

A refugium will help your setup, if done correctly. But with readings as high as yours, you have a problem that should probably be addressed as well. How overstocked is your tank?

[flameangel]

Thank you so much for your input! Well, I did it and purchased the system last night and installed today. I had to install under the main tank (only place) and I will run a 24/7 light cycle. Regarding the little "critters", I received some good advice from the LFS...add 3 small porous rocks in the fuge. The pods will use these rocks for breeding. In about a month or so, take one of the rocks from the fuge and add to the main tank. This will supply the fish with the pod food without being minced through the pump. After 1 or 2 weeks, pull the rock out and put back into the fuge and take another rock out...in other words just rotate the 3 rocks.

I love the fuge and it really compliments the main tank...I am picking up the Cheato tomorrow along with some grape calupera.

I used 1 big jug of Mineral mud and topped it off 20 lbs of Carib Arag Alive. I added water from my old sump slowly to the new fuge, waited approx. 1/2 hour and turned on the pumps. I was happy not to have a sandstorm! Change over went perfect!

I just hope I have the same results you did! My fins are crossed! :fish2:

[flameangel]

John,

I think my problem occurred when I did not replace the bulbs in the power compact (stupid me) I have always run halides in my old 180g system and then I downsized to the 90g with JBJ power compacts. I was never informed of changing the bulbs every 12 to 14 months (I should have known though as I am not a newbie to this hobby). My corals started dying off for no apparent reason, my fish began to disappear and I was unable to locate the bodies. (where do they go? especially the Kohl Tang, he was big) I believe this is what started the Nitrate problem. I went to another fish store for advice and the light bulb change was mentioned. I purchased new bulbs, did 50% water changes every week for 4 weeks and now the nitrates are down to 25 from 80 to 100. Needless to say, the only survivors were 3 Damsels and a Zoo that is finally beginning to open up now and Red Slime algae, which is now starting to diminish after a good dose of the "miracle yellow powder" otherwise known as Red Slime Away (gee, I wonder how they came up with that name??? lol).

My only stock right now is 3 fish, a zoo and alot of rock. I won't restock until levels are perfect again. I with then add only one coral every couple of weeks.

[johnmackay70]

sounds like you are on top of everything. I hope everything goes well!

By the way, I am also using the mineral mud in my fuge. It is still to early to say if it is worth it though.

good luck.