View Full Version : Ecosystem 40 or 60
Does anyone have any experience with these setups? They are hang on the back refugiums and appear to be pretty cool. I want to add this to replace my current canister filter and skimmer.
If you have, how much calupera should I start with?
Any thoughts would be great...
VoodooChild
08-27-2003, 7:23 AM
I don't have one but I did alot of research because I was going to buy one (never did) and I think it's the way to go. I do have a friend with a nano-tank with acroporas that uses a refugium as the only means of filtration and he's never had a problem. You only need a bit of caulerpa, say a foot. Soon enough it will grow so quickly that the layer at top will be dead because the bottom levels push it out of water.
mogurnda
08-27-2003, 8:43 AM
I've been using a CPR Aquafuge, and I like it a lot. I decided to go with Chaetomorpha and Ulva, rather than Caulerpa. I was worried about the Caulerpa "going sexual." Instead I deal with the others periodically thriving and crashing. Having the fuge on a reverse light-dark cycle really does stabilize the day-night fluctuations in pH. It's 8.2 or above all the time now. Plus, the amphipods, bristleworms and snails breed like crazy in there.
Whatever amount of macroalgae you start with, it will probably grow slowly, if at all for a while, then take off to the point where you will have to prune regularly.
Guy W
08-27-2003, 11:39 AM
At the LFS we set up a Mud system on a reef. I can't remember who made it, but it was a sump setup not a hang on. But they all work the same basicly. Anyway, the tank has been up and running for 4 or 5 months now and it's looking really awsome.
We started it with a little calupera. I'm talking a handful. It no time it filled up the entire sump area.
I'd go that route. I can't comment on the specific manufactuers however. sorry about that.
Guy
Okay. I am going with the 60 on a 65 gal tank. I am starting with a softball bunch size of calupera. It sounds like it should work well and will help minimize the problems I have had in the main tank with algae.
Will the amphipods and bristleworms, etc. that came in the calupera breed and then get into the main tank as well?
The book says to leave the light on 24 hrs / day. I thought about having it on only when the tank lights were out. Any thoughts on that?