Planting Caluerpa

scout · 01-08-2002, 09:41 PM

I just set up a 10 gal under my 30 gal reef as a refugium. I picked up some caluerpa from the LFS. Do you plant or attach it to something or just let it free float?
As I already have a DSB in my reef, what in your opinon is the best depth for a shallow (southdown) substrate?
I am pumping around 300 gph, but the inflow to the refugium is diffused. I don't think the sand should blow around.
Thanks
Mike

David · 01-09-2002, 02:12 AM

Hi Scout! I think the refugium with macro algae is a great idea but if at all possible you should locate it at a higher elevation than the main tank and let gravity, not pumps, make the transfer. The whloe point of the refugium is to provide a habitat for microfauna to flourish and populate the main tank, why tear them up with impellers? You don't say anything about a sump so I'm thinking you are pumping 300gph through that ten gallon tank? Sounds a tad high to me. Anyway you also didn't mention the species of caulerpa but in any case it will extend root-like rizoids that will attach to whatever it can grab, a lot like ivy growing on a wall. It needs to crawl on something so if you burry some of it in the sand that will give it a base to work from. Some lr rubble would be great too. Cultivating macro algaes within your system is a great way to consume and export excess nutrients, you will be happy with the results. Oh, if it is C. racemosa, try not to panic when it cellophanes, just remove it....he he he...

**SPasse** · 01-09-2002, 04:38 AM

Scout,

I personally believe that the plankton destruction by centrifugal pumps is an overstated issue. It there some destruction of plankton? Certainly. Does it have a “significant impact”? IMO, no.

Having said that, I may experiment with an air lift system for my next system.

As far as “planting” the macro algae, I just use a small piece of live rock to hold the starter culture of macro in contact with the substrate.

As it starts growing, it places it’s holdfast’s into the media.

Regards,

Scott Passe

**scubadude** · 01-09-2002, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SPASSE
Scout,

I personally believe that the plankton destruction by centrifugal pumps is an overstated issue. It there some destruction of plankton? Certainly. Does it have a “significant impact”? IMO, no.

I agree 100% with Scott on this! And I dont think you have anything to worry about w/ 300 gph goin through a 10gal as long as you have it diffused like you stated above....and you need some very porous LR in the refugium the more little holes you have the more "Pod Houses" you have

Would love to see some pics of your refug when you get it rollin!

scout · 01-09-2002, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll add about 1 inch of sand tonight. I do have some small pieces of LR in there now. The pump is in a corner of the 10 gal divided by one of those plastic tank dividers. Works great so far. I do know i'll have to clean the small holes often. I'll post a couple of pics this weekend. This is a bare bones basic setup that (so far) is working great.
Mike

**Ninong** · 01-09-2002, 10:01 AM

Scout,

Here's my input on this topic: Go with at least a 3" deep sandbed in your refugium instead of the shallow bed you are considering. It will provide a lot of larvae to feed the tank.

Good luck,

Ninong

Rob · 01-09-2002, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Having said that, I may experiment with an air lift system for my next system.

Hi Scott,

I've been saying that too for the last year or so

But other more urgent projects always intervene. Will be interested to know how the results were. Will likewise post my results...

Now, it seems reasonsable to use an undergravel filter kit --- all but the plenum --- they're cheap. The rub is the air pump. I can't stand their noise, even the so-called "silent" variety. HAving gone through a lot of work to banish all noisemakers to the basment under the tank, I'm not ready to add an air compressor in the living room!

Thoughts?

TooFar2Sea · 01-09-2002, 07:00 PM

My refugium water overflows to the sump and is pumped back to the main tank. I do see critters that didn't make the trip intact, but many that do. I look at both types as food for the tank.
As to the airlift, are you referring to using it to lift the refugium water to the main tank without a pump? I remember before power filters came along I had a filter that was fed by nothing more than an airline connected to the bottom of the filter's intake pipe. The (fresh)water would flow up the pipe with the air, go through the filter, and overflow back into the tank. I thougth of this as an idea for the refugium return, but am afraid it would turn into a big messy protein skimmer. On that thought, however, maybe you could put a skimmer top on it and have an refugium air lift/skimmer combo!

Rob · 01-09-2002, 11:00 PM

Hi Gary,

As to the airlift, are you referring to using it to lift the refugium water to the main tank without a pump?

Yes, nice and slow.

01-08-2002, 09:41 PM	#1
scout Council Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bear, DE, USA Posts: 292	Planting Caluerpa I just set up a 10 gal under my 30 gal reef as a refugium. I picked up some caluerpa from the LFS. Do you plant or attach it to something or just let it free float? As I already have a DSB in my reef, what in your opinon is the best depth for a shallow (southdown) substrate? I am pumping around 300 gph, but the inflow to the refugium is diffused. I don't think the sand should blow around. Thanks Mike

01-09-2002, 04:38 AM	#3
SPasse Moderator Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Forney Texas USA Posts: 2,298	Scout, I personally believe that the plankton destruction by centrifugal pumps is an overstated issue. It there some destruction of plankton? Certainly. Does it have a “significant impact”? IMO, no. Having said that, I may experiment with an air lift system for my next system. As far as “planting” the macro algae, I just use a small piece of live rock to hold the starter culture of macro in contact with the substrate. As it starts growing, it places it’s holdfast’s into the media. Regards, Scott Passe __________________ Founding Member – Rocky Mountain Reef Club You can see my former reeftank at http://www.sdpasse.com

01-09-2002, 07:00 PM	#8
TooFar2Sea Just Moved In Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: st louis,mo,usa Posts: 47	My refugium water overflows to the sump and is pumped back to the main tank. I do see critters that didn't make the trip intact, but many that do. I look at both types as food for the tank. As to the airlift, are you referring to using it to lift the refugium water to the main tank without a pump? I remember before power filters came along I had a filter that was fed by nothing more than an airline connected to the bottom of the filter's intake pipe. The (fresh)water would flow up the pipe with the air, go through the filter, and overflow back into the tank. I thougth of this as an idea for the refugium return, but am afraid it would turn into a big messy protein skimmer. On that thought, however, maybe you could put a skimmer top on it and have an refugium air lift/skimmer combo! __________________ Gary

01-09-2002, 11:00 PM	#9
Rob Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New York City Posts: 1,445	Hi Gary, As to the airlift, are you referring to using it to lift the refugium water to the main tank without a pump? Yes, nice and slow. __________________ Cheers, Rob New York City

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01-09-2002, 02:12 AM	#2
David Citizen Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 210	Hi Scout! I think the refugium with macro algae is a great idea but if at all possible you should locate it at a higher elevation than the main tank and let gravity, not pumps, make the transfer. The whloe point of the refugium is to provide a habitat for microfauna to flourish and populate the main tank, why tear them up with impellers? You don't say anything about a sump so I'm thinking you are pumping 300gph through that ten gallon tank? Sounds a tad high to me. Anyway you also didn't mention the species of caulerpa but in any case it will extend root-like rizoids that will attach to whatever it can grab, a lot like ivy growing on a wall. It needs to crawl on something so if you burry some of it in the sand that will give it a base to work from. Some lr rubble would be great too. Cultivating macro algaes within your system is a great way to consume and export excess nutrients, you will be happy with the results. Oh, if it is C. racemosa, try not to panic when it cellophanes, just remove it....he he he...

01-09-2002, 09:34 AM	#5
scout Council Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bear, DE, USA Posts: 292	Thanks for the input. I guess I'll add about 1 inch of sand tonight. I do have some small pieces of LR in there now. The pump is in a corner of the 10 gal divided by one of those plastic tank dividers. Works great so far. I do know i'll have to clean the small holes often. I'll post a couple of pics this weekend. This is a bare bones basic setup that (so far) is working great. Mike

01-09-2002, 10:01 AM	#6
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,691	Scout, Here's my input on this topic: Go with at least a 3" deep sandbed in your refugium instead of the shallow bed you are considering. It will provide a lot of larvae to feed the tank. Good luck, Ninong

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