Life in a refugium

[ced]

I am setting up a new tank (see previous thread) with a refugium.
I have no experience, and I was wondering :

- does it make sense to mix macro algae and mangroves in a refugium?

- what kind of animals are usefull for a refugium?

[TippyToeX]

I would advise against putting mangroves in a refugium if you are after nutrient export. They are weak at that. A good algae like Chaetomorpha, with nice tumbling water flow is best IMO & IME.

Animals sure be very limited. You want good Detritivores if you are adding a sand bed. All kinds of bristleworms and brittlestars. What you would want most would be Amphipods, Copepods, perhaps some Gammarus Shrimp too. Food for your fish (yes many can make it past a return pump) and great little clean up crew members. :)

[druce]

I have 1 hermit, 3 snails, numerous pods of all shapes and sizes. Some baby bristleworms and some macro algae.

[ced]

Amy, Druce, thank you for your answers.