I've had my tank for 5 weeks now and want to add some shrooms in a few weeks. Tank is a 32g with overflow into Sealife slump with bio balls on one half and skimmer and quit one 4000 for return in the other half. There is a box with filter media then bio balls. Without the bio balls it makes a loud waterfall noise. What can I do to take up the space of the bio balls? I was thinking a 40 degree piece of glass or something. The lights are 2 FO 20w bulbs one blue and one daylight maybe 40w. Which I'm think of moving to a refuguim. The refuguim will be around 20g, 16" wide by 30" long and 12" or so deep above the tank on the side. I will feed it through the main pump with a tee or a rio600. Inside will be chaetomorpha macro algae, not sure heard it was good. 2" to 3" sand bed with some live rock rubble with some snails to help keep clean. What should go in there and where can I get it? The tank lights I'm planning on 3 55w pc's 2 day and one blue or one will be 50/50. Fish 2 morron clowns, 1 dwarf angel coral or flame, if he picks some it will be ok, I hope. Mostlikely one other fish that will fit...wrasse or a goby maybe a benny, not sure. Got some suggestions? I also plan to start dosing B-ionic daily to get system ready for coral. Water changes will be 5g a week. For QT tank would a 10g with a millium 2000 and a small powerhead and heater be ok? Any help would be great.
Need help on refuguim and basics
- Thread starter billyzbear
- Start date
Wow, that's a lot of questions in one paragraph 
I'll see what advice I can offer.
A slanted sheet of glass or acrylic will work. You can also try to pipe the output opening down closer to the sump water level.
The 2 FO would work fine on the refugium. Your new PC setup also sounds great.
Chaetomorpha is a nice macroalgae genus for refugiums. Consider adding some Gracilia as well. You can also add a detrivore kit to your refugium, along with live rock. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure where you can get a good detrivore kit nowadays. Perhaps ask the General Reef Discussion forum for ideas? Algae is also sometimes hard to get since most wholesalers don't identify what species/genera they get in (sold as plain old "macroalgae") Best thing is to ask other hobbyists for a few pieces of theirs.
As for fish, one more is okay, or you can just stick with the three you have/want. If you really wanted a forth, a royal gramma, any cardinalfish, a captive bred orchid pseudochromis, a swissguard basslet, or blackcap basslet are some suggestions. You can also consider sixline wrasse, firefish, or other small gobies or blennies; I highly recommend you cover the top of your tank if you choose these fish).
Don't ever overdose additives since water can't store excessive elements. It's always best to test your water before intensively adding any additives.
Your QT tank sounds fine.
Hope that helps.
I'll see what advice I can offer.A slanted sheet of glass or acrylic will work. You can also try to pipe the output opening down closer to the sump water level.
The 2 FO would work fine on the refugium. Your new PC setup also sounds great.
Chaetomorpha is a nice macroalgae genus for refugiums. Consider adding some Gracilia as well. You can also add a detrivore kit to your refugium, along with live rock. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure where you can get a good detrivore kit nowadays. Perhaps ask the General Reef Discussion forum for ideas? Algae is also sometimes hard to get since most wholesalers don't identify what species/genera they get in (sold as plain old "macroalgae") Best thing is to ask other hobbyists for a few pieces of theirs.
As for fish, one more is okay, or you can just stick with the three you have/want. If you really wanted a forth, a royal gramma, any cardinalfish, a captive bred orchid pseudochromis, a swissguard basslet, or blackcap basslet are some suggestions. You can also consider sixline wrasse, firefish, or other small gobies or blennies; I highly recommend you cover the top of your tank if you choose these fish).
Don't ever overdose additives since water can't store excessive elements. It's always best to test your water before intensively adding any additives.
Your QT tank sounds fine.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for your reply. What's in a good detrivore kit? I did read that one guy didn't like sand in his refuguim. Could I go bare? I would add anything that I couldn't test for. Right now my ph and Ca are down but I'm going to do a water change in a little bit and test again. I read everybody like's the two stage B-Ionic but I can't seem to find it. Who makes it and where would be a good place to get it?
That was I wouldn't test. anyways, I found these sites, www.ipsf.com and www.inlandaquatics.com that sell detrivore kits. Ipsf seems better does anybody have good or bad to say about them?
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