'gium questions...

I know nothing about refugiums.

I have never run one before but my used 29g cube came with one, and this...


*actually green

I don't have lighting for it so it's dying off little by little.. I'm broke, is it worth saving?
I have the balls that you put in


Advice, noob info, help

Thanks!

 

sure it worth it .. i can see a lot of macro algae
light it and run it as soon as u can to save the rest of 'em

 

saving for a cheap clip on lamp with CFL bulb of about 6500K would be worth it
that would be a basic, although not very attractive set up, and would cost very little
A clip on LED spot, would be more expensive but look much better IMO


if you have any children or know anyone with children, they would appreciate those balls providing you clean them up before giving to them
basically they will be of more use as a plaything for youngsters, then they would be in your refugium

Steve

 

get rid of the balls! Go to Lowes and get a clip on light with 6700k lightbulb, should run ya under $10, and yes save the fuge!

 

It used to be full to the top of the macro algae.
Okay, I'll whip something up

 

To be clear, bio-balls do have their place-- in a wet/dry trickle filter running on a FO tank that lacks live rock. They provide a place for the nitrifying bacteria, but then one must rely on large water changes to reduce nitrates.

With a FOWLR or reef tank, you have the live rock for the nitrifying bacteria, so the balls would just be something more to maintain. The macroalgae in the fuge, however, feeds on the nitrates (and phosphates) to help reduce water changes.

Hope this helps.

 

Agree with cosmo,

my 'chaeto basket' in my DIY sump,
runs off 2 of those cone like refletors- less than $5 at a Big Box Store(Menards, lowes, HD). They clamp on , easy to set up, and low $$.
Then, I have 2 x 100W CFL bulbs- draw about 20 something watts
and they run on a timer opposite my DT lights.- The Chinese LED's.

It grows like gang busters.

And I agree, ditch the bio balls.