building a refugium

[kgs 69]

Im setting up a new tank. I have the MegaFlow Model 4 sump under my tank.

1. Overflow Bubble Chamber:
2. Filter Media Tray:
3. Biological Media Chamber: Bio balls held above water line by molded media grate to enhance biological filtration
4. Main Sump Reservoir: Large size allows user to add protein skimmers, calcium reactors or fluidized chambers
5. Pump Chamber: Designed to accommodate most submersible pumps
6. Sump Cover: Reduces evaporation and helps quiet sump sound

-Im putting the skimmer in the Main Sump Reservoir.
-External pump pulls water out of the pump chamber and sends to returns.
If you look far right side of the sump you see a small chamber about 5''wide which is 13" in length. Is this chamber large enough for a refugium? Is it in a good location for a refugium?
Meaning.....do you want bio balls, skimmer, refugium? Or does the order not matter.

 

[fattyratrat]

if you are planning on doing a reef, you will not want bio balls, all they do is produce nitrates. The only restrictions on order of skimer/refugium is that you don't want to arrange it so that the skimmer skims water that came out of the fuge, this would take away many benefits of the fuge.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, get rid of the bioballs. Nothing good will happen if you use them.

 

[kgs 69]

Ok. So both of you are suggesting I ditch the bio balls. Is this because they produce nitrates as fattyrat suggest? Obviously they must have some benifits.
Not discounting anyones advice Im just looking for more input on the subject.

 

[Sk8r]

Actually, they're sort of antiques, but some people use them---not really well, compared to modern reef tech: I've had them, back in the '80's, and they never worked really well. Just ditch them. They make good packing peanuts or cat toys.

I'd just get rid of all lids in the sump---even things that don't look like lids (heat issues: It looks like the smaller sump I had: nice one)---and if you can, tuck the return pump somewhere that gives you one chamber free of intakes. That would be your fuge. Your skimmer may be able to be mounted exterior to the fuge---but If so, DON"T let the outflow hose touch the water or the next step is a major gushing flood onto your carpet, if you're using an Aqua C Ev series. Keep its outflow into the air and you'll be fine.
If you can't do that you may be able to turn the ex-bioball compartment into either a skimmer compartment or a fuge.

 

[ser_renely]

I have a similair setup, but making a sump now due to so litle room.

Yours looks bigger, so you should be fine

 

[rookiegirl]

Hope you don't mind me stepping in on your thread. I have a three compartment sump (33g). In-take on left (bubble trap), skimmer in middle and return pump on right. I have started a fuge in my bubble trap, are you saying it's not beneficial if the skimmer follows it? If so, would it be a good idea to move fuge into last compartment with return pump?

 

[kgs 69]

i appreciate the input ive gotten here. I am ditching the bio balls. My plan is to now replace those with live rock (is that correct?) Run the skimmer in the next chamber, and then to fill the last chamber with rubble and plant algae.