Refugium questions/help

[gobytron]

Caulerpa is a macro algae.
With a system this small, anything can cause a wipe out.
Taking out the caulerpa could cause a spike but it's unlikely.

[Beano1169]

gah ok well maybe Ill wait it out untill I get a less invasive type of macro algae. I just dont wanna cause that wipe out you speak of. Could cleaning the filter cause that? I doubt it but likeliness? by cleaning the filter I mean just dumping it out reconfiguring the fuge lay out and replacing the foam

[Snaz]

If the filter media contains a significant portion of your de-nitrifying bacteria then removing it could cause a crash. If your frags arrive today I would advise not to clean it. If they are coming in a few days then do it now.

[Beano1169]

they do come today, when do you think would be a good time to clean it ? cause to be honest it has been on there since start up, well the bio junk has been it was prob 2 weeks got purigen and new foam went in.

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Beano1169

they do come today, when do you think would be a good time to clean it ? cause to be honest it has been on there since start up, well the bio junk has been it was prob 2 weeks got purigen and new foam went in.

Wait a few days until after the frags have settled before making any changes I wound advise.

[Beano1169]

thank you very very much!!! and if anyone was following my old thread my nem is doing much better and since its getting colder out there the temp has stabilized as well!!!

[hillegom]

You should be cleaning your filter out every 3 days or so. To keep detritus in there for long only allows it to degrade into nitrate. you want to get rid of the stuff before it decays.
Do not wash the filter in fresh water. This would kill all the bacteria in it. Wash it with water taken from your tank. Then replace that water with new saltwater.
Mini water change.