Sea grass refugium question.

[Mckibbonator]

I'm about to set up my 90 gallon sps (finally). I have a 30 gallon refugium I'm going to use as filtration along with a used protein skimmer and phosphate reactor (not sure I'm going to use it. I want to make the refugium a seagrass bed with some mangroves and sponges. From what I can find on the web seagrass isn't as good as a nitrate/phosphate consumer as macro algae. I'm not sure if 30 gallons is big enough because of that. If it isn't I'll just add a little clumping macro algae like sea hair; I'd rather not do that. Do you guys think the seagrass and mangroves are enough filtration? Thanks, Mike.

 

[Wicked Color]

In all honesty, mangroves do very little in the way of nutrient removal when young, and you will need more than a 30g to get them to the size where they are an active contributor.
In a 30g (IMO) turf algae scrubber would be the best type of algae based bio-filtration.

 

[Ummfish]

^^^^this is correct.

 

[djkms]

This is also heavily dependent on bio-load. If you only have 1-2 fish then sure, I think a sea grass refugium could handle it. However, sea grasses have a very slow nutrient uptake. If you are going to have a medium-heavily stocked tank then macros would be your best bet for nutrient export if you are going the "natural" route.

btw there is no algae out there that will do well in the long run if you are running GFO. Some algaes may do better longer but eventually the GFO will kill the algae because phosphate becomes the limiting nutrient in the system and all algae needs phosphate to survive.

 

[Mckibbonator]

I just don't like macro algae. What if I run a phosphate reactor with the refugium. That would take care of phosphates. I could also do a half and half, where one half of the tank has some clumping macro algae and the other has seagrass + mangroves.

 

[Mckibbonator]

Oh yea, I plan to have a medium bio-load.

 

[Zooid]

You don't like ANY macroalgae?
I got some macro from Kris that looks like it is flames. That is the coolest macro I have ever seen.
I also like display grade red gracillaria. Not only does it remove nitrates and phosphates but it is also
excellent tang food.

 

[Mckibbonator]

I don't like it since it spreads every where.

 

[prolawn_care]

How can you not like these? It's not too much work to do a little pruning...

My favorite hands down!!!

 

[Mckibbonator]

It's not the look I don't like, it's the amount some macro algae spread. I want a show refguium, not a clump of algae. I think one thing to do is have a mangrove/seagrass bed with some macro algae found in those areas. Kind of go for the biotope option. Then add in some inverts from that biotope for interest.

 

[prolawn_care]

Here's an algea that doesnt get out of control. Good luck finding it though!

I agree, your refugium should be bigger than 30 gallons if you want to accomplish a mangrove tankk thats beneficial... IMO i'd go 55 gallon or better! Just an excuse for a bigger tank

 

[Mckibbonator]

The mangroves are just for show since I like them. I was planning to use the sea grass as the filter. I just wasn't sure if sea grass was good for that. Since it isn't I'm stuck doing a half and half refugium, or scrapping the Idea.

 

[Wicked Color]

mangroves need vertical room to grow, really cant go under a system.

 

[Mckibbonator]

It's in a storage room next to the tank.

 

[Mckibbonator]

It seems like C.Cupressoides, ULVA SP, and DICTOYA CERVICORNIS are common macro algae is sea grass beds. They also seem to clump more and are easier to control.