Refugium & Supplies

[medic29]

Hello everyone. I know this just got started, but I have a couple of questions if everyone doesn't mind. I am putting together a Refugium and 1) would like to know if anyone knows where I can get some bulkheads? I cannot find them anywhere. I've looked and looked without success, except on-line.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to put in my Refugium? What would be best and/or worth while.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

[hounddog01]

What size are you looking for. I may have 1 or 2.

[LegoZ81]

It's usually hard to find them locally. www.savko.com has 'em as well as www.drsfosterandsmith.com
If you don't want to personally drill glass (if you are making it from a tank) there are many of us who should be able to help that will be much better than paying $20+ a hole somewhere.

[LegoZ81]

BTW Welcome!

[GreenBay1]

I would say go to your local pool supply places. There are a couple here in Bloomington and they all have them pretty cheap.

[lcashman]

You could also try a farm supply store (Farm and Fleet/Tractor Supply Company, etc.)

[humbugy]

i know that farm and fleet have reverse thread bulkheads, 3/4 and 1", at least last time i checked

[Benny Z]

as legoz pointed out, www.savko.com

they are usually pretty quick...

[medic29]

I never thought about pool supply stores, the one type of places I didn't check. I did get the 2 I needed from my local LFS....

Any ideas about the Refugium? What to put in it, etc? Basically I want a place where copepods can grow and multiply, then flow back to the tank to help feed the tank. Which brings up another question....is there some place where I can get some copepods to seed the Refugium?

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Horace]

If I were to redo my fuge, I first off would not have put any sand in it....I think it will eventually just cause me problems :(.

However, I would put a good size ball of chaetomorpha macro algae in there with a good bulb over it (can get at walmart). This will take out alot of nitrate/phosphate from your water. All you will have to do is harvest it as it grows to remove the nutrients from the tank.

No need to "seed" the fuge either...it will seed itself from the LR in the tank.

[LegoZ81]

There are quite a few of us that should be able to donate Cheato as well. Mine is still mixed with other macros right now though.

[medic29]

Horace, which can I get at Wal-Mart, the algae or the bulb? I already have the light setup; I just need the algae and whatever else.

[LegoZ81]

The bulb will be availible at walmart, the cheato will be best to get from a club member as it is WAY overpriced online.

[medic29]

Okay....that is what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. Like I said, I have the bulb and light set up. Now I guess I just need the macro algae.

So, to make sure I have this correct, the Refugium will get seeded by pods from the live rock in the display tank. How much water flow do I need through the refugium? Right now there is just a trickle returning back to the display tank. Should there be more flow?

[Horace]

Slow flow through a fuge is a good thing....A fuge will not instantly remove nutrients so it is best to be slower.

[GreenBay1]

If you get Chaeto from a club member, odds are very good that you will not have to seed it. I know my chaeto is cram packed with pods and I don't have anything in my tank eating them. So I have some pods that could pass as feeder shrimp ;)

[medic29]

That would be awesome!!

[medic29]

Anyone have any Chaeto they could offer up?....I don't know that I have anything to trade for it....but let me know.