Adding A Refugium

[Birkholz51]

Hello!

I currently have a 55g DT with 50lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. I have a 10g sump where I keep my protein skimmer.

My equipment for the DT:
3 gallon canister filter
Overflow box to sump
Coralife 65 protein skimmer

I would like to add a 10 gallon refugium with 10 lbs of live sand, some live rock, and Chaeto to the loop. I have two questions involving this. What is the best way to connect a sump and separate refugium to a DT? Also, if I put a refugium in a separate 10g tank, will i need to upgrade my protein skimmer and heater? (Or any other equipment)

 

[Saltwaterreef32]

Depending on what keeping in tank (meaning bio load) your probably gonna wanna upgrade your skimmer anyways. As far as plumbing in you can run a ton of options can connect the sump to run through the fuge afterwards you can plumb both into the same return pipe.

 

[Birkholz51]

Another question. I am planning on adding an ATO to my existing sump. Will this work for the entire system if add a fuge, or will I need to add an additional ATO to the fuge tank? Sorry, I'm a newbie

 

[CStrickland]

Hi birkholz!
You only need one ato. Once you plan out the diff tanks there will be one place where evaporation is evident, and that is where your sensor will go for the whole system's water amount.

The best way to set up a fuge depends on what you want it to provide for your system. What job are you hoping this tool will do?

 

[Birkholz51]

I'm hoping to cultivate pods, as well as hopefully make an impact on nutrient levels with macro algae

 

[CStrickland]

For that I'd just have a tumbling ball of chaeto like d2mini does in this vid
http://youtu.be/olux8a8E5Ko
The extra sand and rocks can be a nitrate factory, and you already have the canister filter working against you on that front. Pods like to grow in chaeto, and when it moves like this it pulls nutrients from all sides. The extra flow will help you avoid cyanobacter as well.