Brad good questions. With adding a DSB to your refugium all you are doing is adding more surface for filtration and convertion of nitrates. I have found that is refugiums (if they are feed by very slow water flow you can get away with less depth (say 3inchs and up). It also depends on what u want the refugium for. It does not have to be for more sand bed. u can have it just as a refuge for your pods, larvae growth, worms, macro algae growth (and thus nutrient export).

IMHO a DSB is not really required unless you are hurting for one in the main tank (which u arent) So add it if you want it will not hurt anything, but I would concintrate on the other functions it provides (listed above).



hope it helps

mike

 

mike

"u can have it just as a refuge for your pods, larvae growth, worms, macro algae growth (and thus nutrient export)."

thats exactly what i need it for...i went with a 1-2" bed just so the critters will have a home...

thanks for the help...now i need to decide what to put in there?...

should i put in a couple pieces of live rock? and just get some caulerpa goin?...

thanks again

brad

 

Brad-
Live rock rubble will give you more surface area, possible more diverse life, more hiding places, and will take up less space. I prefer to have several different Macro species. You can usually get all you want from other reefers or a local store. Mine only has a 2" sand bed and is packed with pods, worms, mini feather dusters, sponges, etc.
Good Luck and have fun with it.

P.S. - be cautious of Macro algea from people with flat worms. Many people infect their tanks from flat worms hitch-hiking on the Macro.

Bryan