adding a 50gallon refugium with DSB – how do I introduce it

[illjoshlli]

I'll start with my question first:
I'm building a new sump/refugium(DSB,rock,macro) setup that will double my water volume.. How do I introduce this much new water/sand etc. to an existing tank with
out crashing"¦

I'm starting to plan out a new sump/refugium system for my tank and I'm not sure the best way to introduce this to my current setup. My current tank is 58 gallons with a 30 gallon sump (24 gallons of total water) with the right side as a refugium (probably 10 gallons of the 24). My new system will be a 20 gallon sump and a separate 50 gallon Refugium. I have the tanks for the new setup but I still need to
design the layout, build stands, plumbing, ect.

This will be in my basement so I have plenty of room to work with"¦ my new tanks will be in the place of the current sump"¦ so for me to put them in place I have to move /disconnect my current setup.

For the new refugium I have a 50 gallon cube that will have a DSB (5in), rock, and Macro algae. I plan on taking the rock, macro, and some of the sand to seed my new refuguim.

Will introducing this much new sand/water cause my tank to cycle? What is the best way to introduce this? Should I set up the refugium as a stand alone tank for a month to let it cycle before I connect it Any other suggestions?

As for plumbing the new refugium I'll simply either T off my return line or have a second pump in my sump that connects to the refugium that will then overflow back into the sumps return chamber.

 

[illjoshlli]

Anyone?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[pootiethetang]

JMO.. but I would put dry argonite in the new refugium, then put a couple pieces of your current LR in there with a scoop of sand from your old refugium.

That shouldnt cause a cycle. Will just take some time for the new refugium to break in.

so.. i would shut off your drain, unplug the return. Remove old sump.

Put dry sand in new sump. Connect new sump/fuge.

Hook everything back up. Fill up new sump/fuge with new saltwater.

Turn everything back on.

Put a scoop of sand from old fuge in new one. Take a piece of LR from current DT and put it in the new fuge.

Then add/repalce LR with rinsed or cured dry rock.

That should keep system shock to a minimum.

 

[illjoshlli]

Thanks.. That is basicly what I was thinking. I'll probobly take a few cups of sand from my existing tank but toss most of it(It's half CC anyway). I'll carry over the LR that is in there and Cheto.

 

[pootiethetang]

thats a good plan.

in my experience, attempting to keep the old sand is not only a hassle but just causes problems.

new dry sand is cheap and will work just as well once its seeded.