Turnover rate for fuge

[Edwell]

What kind of flow rate is recommended for a fuge??

In my case I have a 42g tank with a 16 g fuge. I have my flow throttled back, and am estimating that my turnonver is maybe 5 times an hour.

Does the flow have to be slow for the fuge to be effective???

I am just setting up and have not put any mud or plants.

Do the types of plants or tank load have a significant impact???

Thanks in advance for any advice.........

[Grotto]

I run about 10 gph through mine.

As far as plants, some use caulpera while others use Chaetto Algae. While I don't have any algae in my fuge yet, I'll add Chaetto when I do. From what I can understand caulpera is more prone to going sexual which is something I'd like to avoid.

Best of luck!

[reef_guru]

Does the flow have to be slow for the fuge to be effective???

chaetomorpha algae should tumble for better results, all other algae and caluerpa can handle minimum flow like a swamp, the less flow the better. with the exception of a chaetomorpha fuge

Do the types of plants or tank load have a significant impact???

yes, grape caluerpa inhibits coral growth. which is why i only use chaetomorpha

[coral reefer]

Originally Posted by Grotto

I run about 10 gph through mine.

As far as plants, some use caulpera while others use Chaetto Algae. While I don't have any algae in my fuge yet, I'll add Chaetto when I do. From what I can understand caulpera is more prone to going sexual which is something I'd like to avoid.

Best of luck!

The applying of a reverse daylight scheme over your refugium will help to reduce this from happening!

I like to have a slow rate of turnover and water flow through my refugium to afford my main tank and refugium the best case scenario.

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by reef_guru

yes, grape caluerpa inhibits coral growth. which is why i only use chaetomorpha

Really? How does it inhibit coral growth?

[reef_guru]

Really? How does it inhibit coral growth?

chemically, google it

[jcdillin]

I use chaetomorpha in my refugium I don't have it tumbling though. I started with a small sandwich baggie from ebay a few months ago. Pretty much every 2 weeks I throw away almost 4 sandwich baggies worth of chaeto.

I have very slow flow through mine as well, probably in the range of 7 to 10 gph.

[Edwell]

Thanks for the info,....Did a search on the Chaeto like was suggested .....most recommend a higher turnover rate. I guess for the Chaeto a higher turnover is better. Thanks for the info.......

Anthony Calfo writes....A popular choice for refugium macroalgae among advanced aquarists in the United States is Chaetomorpha. Unlike Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha is multicellular and, as such, is inherently more stable. It can be cut and pruned aggressively with little or no fear of toxins being released or having vehicle for nutrient export! It is also highly adaptable to a very wide range of lighting [Tip: illuminate most macroalgae in refugia with at least 1 watt of light per liter of water at depths less than 30 cm]. Like most "vegetable-filter" algae species, moderate to strong water flow is necessary; keep a total water flow of at least 20X turnover of the volume of the culturing vessel. There are many other benefits to spaghetti algae, not the least of which is that it is a superb matrix for the cultivation of microcrustaceans. Aquarists with thick masses of Chaetomorpha in their refugiums get a bounty of zooplankton to feed their corals in their display, assuming the refugiums is kept without predators like fishes on the plankton. This genus is also a rather hardy shipper; trading among aquarists is strongly encouraged to distribute this useful organism in the hobby.