what to put in refugium

[hammerandy]

I presently have just base mud and grape calurpa and brillo pad calurpa. Is there any little creatures that I should put in there. Could you put peppermint shrimp or some type of shrimp that may breed in this quiet area. What about snails. I know copipods but you just don't go out and buy them. I am running two 3 foot growth fluorescents.
Randy

 

[mogurnda]

Refugia are perfect places to cultivate little detritivores, like amphipods and mysis shrimp. There are thriving cultures of bristleworms, spaghetti worms, strombus snails, amphipods and mysis shrimp in mine. Larger, predatory shrimp like peppermints, kind of defeat the purpose.

Both IPSF and Inland Aquatics have detritivore kits. For your puroposes, the refugium kit from Inland Aquatics would be great. You'll get mysis, amphipods stars and snails.

If there is a club in your area, you may be able to get some 'pods from a fellow reefer.