Sand or no sand???

Discussion in 'Refugium' started by omgiv, Oct 29, 2009.

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  1. omgiv

    omgiv Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Messages:
    355
    Location:
    Stafford, VA
    Hi Guys,

    I was wondering if it would be worth it to have sand in my refugium. The refugium section of my sump is about 9 X 12 and the baffle is 7" tall. I have read that a DSB needs to be 3-4 inches. At 4 inches, that only leaves 3 before it reaches the top of the baffle. I plan on putting rock rubble, chaeto, and mangroves in the refugium. Would it be better to forgo the sand all together if it isn't a DSB and add more rock rubble? Which would be more beneficial...a DSB or more rock rubble? Thanks in advance!!!!

    Regards,
    Ivy
     
    omgiv, Oct 29, 2009
    omgiv, Oct 29, 2009
    #1

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  2. liegeofinveracity

    liegeofinveracity Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 16, 2008
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    390
    Location:
    ...the night time... is the right time...
    good question, i don't know wich would be more benificial for your system but i would skip the sand and stuff as much rock etc as you can in there,or even bioballs if you arent going to be viewing it much.it's much easier to remove rock later on than sand. if you do go with sand make sure your baffles are strong enough to take the added pressure, i had one blow out once(with sand) and it was a real headache to clean up
     
    liegeofinveracity, Oct 30, 2009
    liegeofinveracity, Oct 30, 2009
    #2
  3. WuWu

    WuWu Feather Star

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2009
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    789
    i went the rubble route myself .. the guy i bought it from had sand .. i never got all the sand out :( it was a pain
     
    WuWu, Oct 30, 2009
    WuWu, Oct 30, 2009
    #3
  4. omgiv

    omgiv Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Messages:
    355
    Location:
    Stafford, VA
    Thanks guys. I think that my baffle would hold up to the pressure, but that is a very good point. I am thinking that I might just fill it with rubble. I think the chaeto and mangroves will be fine with that. Thanks!!!!
     
    omgiv, Oct 30, 2009
    omgiv, Oct 30, 2009
    #4
  5. HardCor

    HardCor Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    31
    how about Caulerpa?
     
    HardCor, Oct 31, 2009
    HardCor, Oct 31, 2009
    #5
  6. saltydog64

    saltydog64 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    3
    HardCor,

    IMP...NO to the Caulerpa as it "could" get into the main tank and cause a mess...stick to the chaeto and NO sand. I just cleaned my refugium and when first setup (about a year ago) I started w/a piece of chaeto the size of a baseball and just removed a chunck the size of a baskeball....and there was an "huge" amount of deterious on the bottom which if I had sand in there would've been impossible to "clean-out"...So why introduce one more neutrent trap to your system...
     
    saltydog64, Nov 1, 2009
    saltydog64, Nov 1, 2009
    #6

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  7. HardCor

    HardCor Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2009
    Messages:
    31
    Your right , whatever works for you.Caulurpa just happens to work for me and a few of my friend who has strictly SPS use it with no problem at all.but if it concern you Just Don't Do It , its better to have that piece of mind in this Hobby
     
    HardCor, Nov 1, 2009
    HardCor, Nov 1, 2009
    #7