Fuge Proliferation/Propagation

[Rudy]

Good Morning,

I am delighted to report, upon close investigation of my now 2-month old refugium, I noted multiple small (minute) creatures scurrying about the sand and LR. :thm:

Short of what I have already done is there anyway to ensure some of these critters make there was into the DT to serve as an intermittent food source?

Currently, water from the fuge is gently trickling over the grated (teethed) top edge of the fuge wall into the sump return chamber. I also have 3 small (3/16") holes which I drilled about 1/2 way (height) of the fuge wall to promote additional gentle, yet positive, flow from the fuge into the sump return chamber. These holes are below the water level of both chambers.

Are there any other recommendations to take advantage of this growing natural food source?

This is my first refugium. Can you tell?

Kind Regards, Keith

 

[Cheech]

lol... Rudy, I don't know how, but I've come to the conclusion that they somehow make their way to the DT. I'm sure some critters don't, but I'll assume that some manage to get there thru the returm pump.

When you look at your DT in the middle of the night, do you see critters on your glass, pods on your rock, etc??

by the way, we need some updated pics!!! how's that LED lighting working for you?

 

[Amphiprion]

Smaller organisms like copepods and many larvae are far too small to be affected by return pump impellers. They will arrive in the display unharmed. Believe it or not, protein skimmers and mechanical filtration are the primary means of removing zooplankton, not return pumps. If you want to maximize refugium production, increase the feed supply from the tank. The number one cause for refugium failure (in terms of 'pod production and even macroalgal growth) is lack of food. You need enough water throughput into the refugium to maximize the benefits. That isn't to say that you should blast everything, but adequate amounts of food from the display are absolutely necessary.

 

[Catpicklesdog]

I have a lot of macro algae in my sump, which I trim (well yank) quite regularly. Before binning it, I always give it a good shake into the DT just in case there any critters in there.

Like Amph and Cheech said though, they do seem to make their way to the DT on their own which is what is keeping my fat Mandarin Dragonet fat

 

[Rudy]

Thanks for the replies. I am not worried about the skimmer. The opnly critters which could possible end-up in the skimmer would have to come from the DT due to the way my sump is designed. As far as feeding the Fuge, I can only presume I must be feeding enough as well as enough other variables within the right range, since I already appear to have signifcant life.

Cheech - pics forthcoming. I really like the Colaris, especially during sunset and moon rise.