New to salt, have some concerns/questions

[captkrill]

Hi there,

I am new to saltwater, I've been reading and researching the different types of fish coral inverts that go together and but am a bit confused when it comes to the refugium, live rock, and general filtration.

1. Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand, a refugium is basically a smaller tank packed with bio-balls and live rock seperated from one another and a pump to jet back into the main tank that house my fish, another set of live rock, coral, inverts live sand, etc.

2. How much live rock is needed or recommended per gal?

3. With some of the inverts and coral I am wanting such as the Giant Feather Duster Worms and Bubble Tip Anemone, I understand there needs to be a semi-moderate water movement. Is more than necessary movement, within reason where its not toppling over coral, a bad thing?

There will be a good amount of more questions, but right now, I am planning for a 90 Gal tank that is currently home to discus, angels, tetras and loaches to be home to some of the most colorful coral, inverts and fish.

For instance. Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Fu-Manchu Lionfish, Flame Angelfish, Purple Firefish and Fire Goby. Also True Percula Clown.

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

Hi there,
hey
I am new to saltwater, I've been reading and researching the different types of fish coral inverts that go together and but am a bit confused when it comes to the refugium, live rock, and general filtration.
alright...
1. Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand, a refugium is basically a smaller tank packed with bio-balls and live rock seperated from one another and a pump to jet back into the main tank that house my fish, another set of live rock, coral, inverts live sand, etc.
A refugium is a seperate tank usually with some live rock, macro algae, and a deep sand bed that gives "refuge" to organisms that are beneficial to the tank.
2. How much live rock is needed or recommended per gal?
I believe it's around 10, give or take.
3. With some of the inverts and coral I am wanting such as the Giant Feather Duster Worms and Bubble Tip Anemone, I understand there needs to be a semi-moderate water movement. Is more than necessary movement, within reason where its not toppling over coral, a bad thing?
water movement is to eliminate dead zones in the tank, aswell as give current to the corals/inverts. Put enough current so there are no stagnant areas within the water column. Though, you can't really get to every inch of water, just get as much as you can without turning your tank into a jecuzzi.
There will be a good amount of more questions, but right now, I am planning for a 90 Gal tank that is currently home to discus, angels, tetras and loaches to be home to some of the most colorful coral, inverts and fish.
90 is a good start up size...
For instance. Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Fu-Manchu Lionfish, Flame Angelfish, Purple Firefish and Fire Goby. Also True Percula Clown.

 

[bromie88]

refugiums dont even have to be external. as stated above a refugium is a place of refuge for smaller organisms. it can be as simple as a corner of the tank packed with LR, that fish and other bigger inverts cant get into.

or can be as complicated as another tank that sits above the show, tank so that critters fall into the main tank as the water flows back in to the main tank. it can have macro algae and a deep sand bed, or miracle mud, or mangroves, or even thier own lighting cycles, different from the main tank to keep the pH stable...

like most things, they can be as simple or as mind bogglingly complex as you like.

 

[RegalAngel]

2. How much live rock is needed or recommended per gal?
I believe it's around 10, give or take.

That would be 1 - 1.5 lbs LR/gal.


Lots of info. here:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/

 

[bromie88]

2. How much live rock is needed or recommended per gal?
I believe it's around 10, give or take.

That would be 1 - 1.5 lbs LR/gal.


Lots of info. here:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/

there about...

1-2 lbs per gallon. is reccomended. a word of warning though... anything that will fit in the lionfishes mouth will be considered as food. and they have big mouths. if you want the lion, check out fuzzy dwarf lions. similar to the Fu Manchu, but a lot easier to feed. fu manchu's generally only take live foods. my fuzzy dwarf took frozen brine the day after i got it.

 

[mr.reef24]

Hi there,

I am new to saltwater, I've been reading and researching the different types of fish coral inverts that go together and but am a bit confused when it comes to the refugium, live rock, and general filtration.

1. Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand, a refugium is basically a smaller tank packed with bio-balls and live rock seperated from one another and a pump to jet back into the main tank that house my fish, another set of live rock, coral, inverts live sand, etc. A refugium is basically a place to grow your zooplankton's and macro-algae's to feed your display and to help filter, it's mostly a deep sand bed or Miracle mud inch deep live rock or rubble live rock macro-algae and a basic light on reverse daylight. No fish, crab's, or anything in it.

2. How much live rock is needed or recommended per gal?
1-1.5 lbs per gallon

3. With some of the inverts and coral I am wanting such as the Giant Feather Duster Worms and Bubble Tip Anemone, I understand there needs to be a semi-moderate water movement. Is more than necessary movement, within reason where its not toppling over coral, a bad thing?
well a good flow is great to have but you don't want it to topple over your coral's.
There will be a good amount of more questions, but right now, I am planning for a 90 Gal tank that is currently home to discus, angels, tetras and loaches to be home to some of the most colorful coral, inverts and fish.

For instance. Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Fu-Manchu Lionfish, Flame Angelfish, Purple Firefish and Fire Goby. Also True Percula Clown.

If you need any more help send me a private message anytime

mr.reef24

 

[captkrill]

Thanks for the replies.

there about...

1-2 lbs per gallon. is reccomended. a word of warning though... anything that will fit in the lionfishes mouth will be considered as food. and they have big mouths. if you want the lion, check out fuzzy dwarf lions. similar to the Fu Manchu, but a lot easier to feed. fu manchu's generally only take live foods. my fuzzy dwarf took frozen brine the day after i got it.

Thanks for the warning on that, none of the books or sites I have read about them suggest that it is generally fed live. Will look into them. EDIT: Checked into the fuzzy dwarf and a couple sites including Liveaquaria are suggesting they get 7 inches while the fu-manchu gets only 4. Could this be a mistype?

A refugium is a seperate tank usually with some live rock, macro algae, and a deep sand bed that gives "refuge" to organisms that are beneficial to the tank.

A refugium is basically a place to grow your zooplankton's and macro-algae's to feed your display and to help filter, it's mostly a deep sand bed or Miracle mud inch deep live rock or rubble live rock macro-algae and a basic light on reverse daylight. No fish, crab's, or anything in it.

Other than curing the rock, and cycling the water is there anything that should be added to the refugium or just hooking it up and turning it on all that is required?

Seems I am going to need around 140lbs of live rock for a 90 going off 1.5lb/gal ratio...*tear*

If you need any more help send me a private message anytime

Will probably take you up on that one if not answered in this page.

One last thing. I have a fluval 405 on the 90 FW used just for shuffling top water around. Is there anyway I can utilize this with the SW? I realize that I will have to clear out all the FW remnants.

 

[bromie88]

i use a 405 on my tank for water movement and mechanical filtration. canisters generally arent good on marine tanks. they become nitrite factories if they arent cleaned regularly. like every week.

fu manchu lions do stay smaller than the other 'dwarf' species. also the fuzzys and zebra's ect dont normally reach 7"...

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

Oh boy was I ever off on the live rock thing.

 

[bromie88]

it would be one hell of a clean tank though...