Refigium Setup

[renman]

I hope this isn't in the wrong area for this topic? If so, pardon me, I'm learning all of these new terminologies.

I have a 55 gal with:

2 Percula Clowns
3 Blue Damsels
1 Cream Angel
1 Sailfin Tang
1 Niger Trigger

After loosing all of my anemonies, crabs, shrimp...I have decided to get rid of my Niger Trigger (I suspect he is the culprit). I also have a 15 gallon "Eclipse I" freshwater system that I am going to convert to saltwater. I plan on keeping the filter system but also have a Fluval 303 on the tank as well. I will add a skimmer to this and would like to make a Refigium Tank. I saw one in a new LFS and they were really helpful. Even taking me to the back room to show how Live Rock is cycled and the many Refigium tanks.

I am looking for ideas in setting the 15 gallon up. I would like (as the LFS had) some Mandarin Gobys and perhaps shrimp and such. They said you can even put some corals in the tank as well? The tank is directly under a South facing window in my home. So there is tons of natural light as well as the florescent on the Eclipse hood.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Best Regards,

Dave

 

[Pufferpoison]

you might have a problem with algae (not the good kind) with that much light. Alot of ppl grow different types of good algae in the refugiums to use up the nutrients that cause the bad algae to grow,thus starving it from growing in your main tank. You are using this as a refugium for your main tank with probably a hang on overflow? kinda confused. Your post almost seems if your going to have a completely seperate tank that's not connected to your main tank? maybe i'm just confused!

 

[renman]

Pufferpoison,

You are correct in that the 15 gallon is in a completely separate room from the 55 gallon. I do have shades for the window and a large home looms near so the sunlight in not necessarily direct although it is present most of the day. I like the fact that it is natural and don't need to cycle lighting. On particularly hot days, I can draw the shades. The skimmer/overflow setup I have not worked out all of the details yet? The eclipse doesn't have a skimmer setup but I'm not sure that it's really needed with enough water movement and two filters?

No, your not confused....I am! Does the Refigium tank have to be connected to the main tank?

Dave

 

[tullsterx]

I think what you're creating is called a quarantine tank around here. I think a refugium IS attached to the main tank.

 

[bencozzy]

if you setup a refugium get the cheap screw sock mini compact flourescent 6.5K and use macrofeast(search it on google) cheatomorpha and any caulerpra.

oh and refugium are attached to the main tank.