Directions for use
Remove all contents from the ARK. Disconnect the refugium from the main aquarium. Add the oolitic live sand (very fine) to a depth of 2-6 inches (any leftover sand can be used in your main aquarium). Add the Rubble, starting with the finer or smaller rocks first and finish with the largest rock on top. Rubble can be placed to one side of the refugium for a taller, rubble "patch reef," or spread more evenly across the entire sand bed for more of a "back reef" rubble zone effect.
If macroalgae are to be planted or secured in the refugium, mix the enclosed Mineral Mud into the oolite bed in that planting area.
If there is not already seawater in the refugium, add it now. Add the Bio-Magnet according to the directions on the packet. If the main aquarium is less than 70 gallons, use only one packet. If it is over 70 gallon, use both packets. Gently stir the water in the refugium until it is nearly clear. Attach the refugium to the main aquarium and start any pumps and filters.
Wait 24 hours and add the Aquabiotic according to the dosage on the bottle. Base the dosage on the gallon size of the main aquarium only, not the combined gallons of the main tank and the refugium. Begin using Purple Up according to the directions, again, based on the gallons of the main tank only. At this time, livestock can be added. Small pieces of live rock or live rubble can be added to the refugium to begin the growth of coralline algae, small invertebrates, sponges and more, which will reproduce within the desirable environment created by the ARK. These microflora, microfauna, and sponges can provide a valuable food source for hard-to-feed reef tenants such as angelfish, tangs, mandarin gobies, butterflyfish and larger invertebrates.
General information
Microflora, microfauna, and sponges can provide a valuable food source for hard to feed reef tenants such as angelfish, tangs, mandarin gobies, butterflyfish, and larger invertebrates. CaribSea's A.R.K. is the first complete refugium kit for marine and reef aquariums, which caters to the growth of these hard to obtain, hard to produce, natural foods.
Only the A.R.K. contains substrates from 0.1 mm to 125 mm long axis, creating a haven for not only denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria, but also benthic organisms such as copepods and decapods. The larger macro-pores created by the variety of calcium carbonate rubbles form a cryptic zone to encourage the growth of water purifying sponges and larger invertebrates such as shrimp, worms, and serpent stars. Also inside, a 5 lb bag of CaribSea's Mineral Mud to be used around Caulerpa, Halimeda, and other macro-algae plantings or anchors.
The A.R.K. also contains a 4-ounce bottle of PurpleUp, the only patented coralline algae accelerator, and an 8-ounce bottle of Aquabiotic to aid in the start up of necessary water purifying bacteria. You will also find an 80-gallon dose of BioMagnet, which clarifies water and places bacteria within the substrate and filter media as needed. |
 "CaribSea A.R.K. Aragonite Refugium Kit")
