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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2008 3:43:36 PM
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| Anthony, or other knowledgable souls, I have been scouring these forums, and learned a lot. Looking for thoughts, comments, and to see if I have integrated all the info properly. Simple and to the point. 40 gal main tank, leaning toward SPS, clams (Aquatinic 5 build T5 fixture and sig flow will be in main). Looking to farm coral food for the tank. Will manage nutrient export with husbandry, good skimming (Aqua C remora) and water changes (10-20% weekly)(possibly in the future if needed and RDSB (bucket  ). If this all works out will mimic system on larger scale for a 75 gal main) Tank overflow into small tank housing the skimmer (maybe a 10 gal with partitions to be sure it is concentrated for the skimmer uptake), plumbed into a Fuge (15 or 20 gal) tank for Pods next to it in parallel (what material to "hang" in it for the "pod condo"?). No substrate here.. correct, or should it have a larger grain sand?. Doesn't need crazy flow correct? That plumbed into another small tank (10 or 15 gal) (maybe for Frags (w/ lighting maybe 3 24W T5's and if done some of the new style powerheads for a circulation boost  (this portion is only an idea at the moment and may be ommited if not fesable), then finally plumbed into another resovoir with a return pump to the main tank. The last section with the return pump will house the Top Off (Tunze Osmolater), PH monitor, heater, etc and will be where Kalk and other "additives ("A/B" solutions would be added). Thoughts, comments, and input (or help if warranted!) all sought and appreciated! Is this a good idea/plan?
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2008 3:43:36 PM
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Oh yeah - your book Reef Inverts was where I got the "Pod Condo" idea from, great book. The book mentioned different sized bottom media for specifc pods (or worms), but in you "sticky" links on Fuges I recall you saying not to use it as it may be a nutrient trap as used in this situation. I was also gonna split the overflow b/t the skimmer and fuge sections but nixed that idea as well so the skimmer gets all the surface water. Would there be any benefit to using live rock in additon too or instead of the pads for the "pod condo" section? Another (last) carzy thought... any benefit to bypassing the fuge section and then putting it "online" say a few hours only in the afternoon/evening to promote polyp extension/feeding at that time?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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if your focus is to grow sps and clams... then you likely do not need a traditional refugium. Instead, you need to dose a tiny amount of phyto for the clams and for the copepods that you hope to grow. Amphipods and most other microcrustaceans will be too large for your corals to eat. You'd be better off culturing rotifers and copepods outside of the display and drip feed them nightly since most of your corals are zooplnkton feeders.
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2008 3:43:36 PM
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Thanks for your reply. I guess I was thinking (or misunderstood) that the Larva from the multiplication of the Pods would be the Zooplankton (an appropriate size for the SPS). I will look more into the Phyto and culturing you speak of (rotifers). Thanks for your time. I appreciate it and realize you are probably spread pretty thin with all the contributions you make to us hobbists!
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Group: Forum Members
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sorry, any links to info for culturing the copods out of the display? I have seen stuff on Rotifers I'll look for again.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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I understand your line of logic my friend... but the typical microcrustaceans (amphipods, etc) are too large, and their larvae are nearly so plus they are sessile. Very sessile. You need pelagic copepods and rotifers that are smaller and spend more/all time in the water column to be better prey for sps types.
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2008 3:43:36 PM
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I guess that leads to the bigger question... do you think that that type of food supplementation is beneficial (as in worth the effort needed to culture rotifers and phyotoplank) to a smaller sized tank (40-75 gal range) that houses mostly SPS and clams?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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I do, yes... all corals in the hobby need fed. Some moreso than others.. but all yes.
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/21/2008 3:43:36 PM
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cool, thanks for your time!
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