Do you need sand in a refugium?

Discussion in 'Refugium' started by Hurley1536, Mar 8, 2010.

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  1. Hurley1536

    Hurley1536 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I posted yesterday that I wanted to make a refugium out of an Aquaclear 110. It would be on the back of my 40 breeder. I was going to put cheato or g. culerpa in it, but the flow is pretty swift and i feel like a sand bed would quickly powder my live rock. The question is...Do you need sand in a refugium for it to be effective?
     
    Hurley1536, Mar 8, 2010
    Hurley1536, Mar 8, 2010
    #1

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  2. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    No, sand is really only useful in a refugium if you can get a good stable DSB in there. I wouldn't put any in an HOB fuge so you have plenty of room for macro growth.
     
    mikejrice, Mar 8, 2010
    mikejrice, Mar 8, 2010
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  3. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    K+ to mike's answer, for a HOB go with no sand, just a ball of chateo and a light source - and there may be room for a manrove or 2 as well.

    On the flip side, if you make a refugium in a sump it's beneficial to add 5" - 6" of sand as a DSB with the added benefit of allowing additional types of macro algae to be planted for a bit more variety.
     
    Telgar, Mar 8, 2010
    Telgar, Mar 8, 2010
    #3