Juwel Rio Black Box Refugium...

[sophos9]

Was just wondering, I've left the black box in the corner of my Juwel Rio, is it possible to use this as a mini refugium to increase the amount of copipods? If so, how do I get them attracted to the area?

 

[fraservet]

I would just fill it up with live rock rubble.

 

[sophos9]

I would just fill it up with live rock rubble.

That would be great, thanks!

 

[AK77]

PErsonally Id remove the black box.... cos its a bloody eye sore lol.

IF you wanna refugium, just get a little 12"x18" tank, with a small pump, and grow pods in a seperate tank.

 

[Musho3210]

chaeto would do more than live rock rubble, if you can give it light put in macro algae.

 

[sophos9]

PErsonally Id remove the black box.... cos its a bloody eye sore lol.

You have me there!! With pumps, heaters and a protein skimmer on the back things are never going to look great!!

IF you wanna refugium, just get a little 12"x18" tank, with a small pump, and grow pods in a seperate tank.

Was really looking just to have something sustainable, I've got several tanks running at the mo, last thing I want is another

chaeto would do more than live rock rubble, if you can give it light put in macro algae.

I'm ashamed to say I dont know nothing about chaeto - the box does get light from the T5 although its only 10k, will have a quick google then post back

 

[AK77]

Just go onto ebay and search for Marine Algae or Chaetomorpha. Only problem I can forsee is getting light and good water flow around it in that black box.

And dude, you can never have enough tanks

 

[Musho3210]

hmm, im not too familiar with jewel, but if its possible drill a hole near the bottom of the box and fit the head of something like a maxi-jet in there.

Chaeto is a macro algae, it eats nutrients like nitrates and phosphates and also provides a safe haven for lots of pods.

 

[AK77]

I think black box is in fact the internal filter unit. Even if you just have cheato growing in your tank, it will provide safe haven for the pods. I'd loose the black box though and try hiding all the stuff like the heater and powerheads.

 

[sophos9]

I can forsee is getting light and good water flow around it in that black box.

And dude, you can never have enough tanks

Mate, that black box has a sealed 600ltr per hour powerhead in it which pulls water from the top of the tank, through where the live rock/cheato will live - directly over it it a 55w T5 (well part off)

I did want to mod this tank, drill it will sump and all the extras but I have to refrain for the bigger project that will come in the next few years (large self made tank )

Chaeto is a macro algae, it eats nutrients like nitrates and phosphates and also provides a safe haven for lots of pods.

Nice one, how much will I need? - a nitrate and phosphate eater sounds great!!

 

[fraservet]

the shape of the filter doesn't really lend itself to growing macroalgae - it is very tall and thin, very small surface area, so only the very top of the algae would get any light.
If you are keeping the box, I would fill it with rubble instead.