I've got my system all up and running nicely, and I figure now is as good a time as any to put my fuge to some good use. Everything still in the middle of cycling (that is, all the readings are way way way high). I've got something like a 10-15 gal fuge (DIY, so I dunno exactly how big it is... I put a partition in an extra tank I had, half is the sump the other half the fuge). So... what works well for dealing with nitrates? I have yet to buy some sort of lighting for my fuge, but I think I remember reading that it doesn't have to be too fancy... just some cruddy $30 florescent thing would work alright.

I'm also planning on buying a thing or two of copepods from that link at the top of this site and letting them hang out in the fuge. They alright to live with the macro?

Annnnnd where do I go about buying some? I have a thing against the only (somewhat decent) LFS near me, so is there a good place to order some online?

Chaeto is very hardy, will not go sexual, and will thrive in a wide variety of lighting conditons.

As far as where to buy online......no clue, I'm a loyal LFS guy.

i agree with starting with Chaeto

you can support a Talkingreef sponsor by purchasing online from CoralDynamics
just go to the Cleaners/Livesand page and the macro is at the bottom

Alright, Chaeto it is.

Maybe I will just deal with my idiot lfs... the shipping prices for livestock are incredibly high...

I bet there are poeple willing to give some to you. This stuff is super prolific. We pulled so much out of the tanks before we moved... never had time to send it to anyone. It was a same the amount we threw away. But I digress.... I bet there is someone local to you who can give ya a clump.

I got mine off of Ebay for $9 sandwich bag full of cheato, stars, pods, etc. You only need a little it grows fast. Were abouts in chicago are you? If your close my way your more than welcome to pics some up from me.

I got mine off of Ebay for $9 sandwich bag full of cheato, stars, pods, etc. You only need a little it grows fast. Were abouts in chicago are you? If your close my way your more than welcome to pics some up from me.

I'm about an hour west out of the city in the burbs. Wheaton, to be exact. Kind of a drive to Indiana. Thanks for the offer though :) I'll check out ebay... I hadn't even thought of that.

Alrighty, I got some coming from some guy on ebay... looks like its prolly the same person who you bought you baggy of stuff from. Do I need to acclimate the stuff for a while before putting it in the fuge, or is the stuff hardy enough to deal with the little bit of shock?

Heres the ebay thing: link (http://cgi.ebay.com/Chaetomorpha-Chaeto-Macro-Algae-for-Reef-Coral-Refugium_W0QQitemZ200047072419QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6 6794QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

The stuff can withstand a horrible cycle and the dark for days.... they are the mollies of the macro world.

one thing i can say is if it looks kinda washed-out and sketchy from the shipping process, just go ahead and give it some light. it should green-up and reproduce in no time. and as mentioned, the stuff is absolute pod haven.

Anyone in the Northeast US who is willing to part with differing macro? I'm looking for color...

D

OK i have some cheato in my tank some culerpa and one mangrove i am planing to add some more algae to my tank on a Sep refugium each one of them will be in separate slats or divisions not touching with each other what ells can i add to my refugium and which ones are good o and is it to much to add

don't get TOO crazy with different species, as many of them try to outcompete each other and you may end up with them all crashing, or one taking over, or all of them stunted.

let the tank settle awhile, and see how they do.