Whats the difference between crushed coral and live san in your refugium I know what the live sand does but not sure about the crushed coral?

Live sand has less oxygen and is therefore more efficient at reducing nitrates through anaerobic/anoxic bateria. Crushed coral could do the same and may have better "noks and crannies" for pods to grow in.

Actually if both as calcium carbonate (play sand is silicate) both will buffer calcium to some extent. and therefore do about the same for the tank.

The "key" in the refugium is the macro algaes IMHO. That will reduce nitrates plus phosphates and carbon dioxide and return oxygen. While creating fish food to feed fish like tangs with the macros and pods to feed just about everything else.


my .02

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

So the macro is the best alright i'll get some but im wondering what kind do you prefer?

Chaetomorphia (brillo pad) is a good choice.

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fw leiden since 1979, fo salt since 1979, mixed reef 55g 2002-2009. Strong emphasis on the tank taking care of itself. Balanced with plant life, no water changes, tap water, no filters in FW. Only dosing calcium, alk, mag in marine reef tanks. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/my-...ods-26410.html
recent tanks (till 2009) 7 years- 10g FW leiden 7 yrs, 55g mixed reef 7, 2 yrs, 20g FW leiden, 10 g fw leiden , 29g mixed reef, current tank 55g leiden

beaslbob reps macro-algae non-stop....and I agree 100%

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