Critique my refug design please

[ReefKeeperRob]

I think enough people are using refugiums that I have to believe they work. Some here tend to think otherwise which I respect that opinion as well because I'm sure everyone here knows a heck of a lot more than me.

I at least would like to try the refugium. I think I'm just going to do plain old chaetomorpha with no sand to make it easy to clean and therefore reduce the possibility of creating a Phosphate sink as cashman has suggested.

What kind of flow am I going to need for this setup. Let's say I have a 20 gallon refugium tank. How many gph am I going to want flowing through this thing? I'm thinking I may buy a small pump and pump from the return area of my wet/dry to the fuge and back. Should keep the fuge cleaner and since I'm not trying to cultivate any pods it shouldn't matter that the water may go through the pump a couple of times.

How deep will the water need to be? I might try making something myself out of acrylic, might be fun.

Any other suggestions?

 

[mx270]

ReefKeeperRob, I think you will want at least 10in deep water. Give it enough flow to roll the chaeto under its light. A low wattage plant light (6k range) will work fine for lighting. Have the light run opposite of the display tank light. This will keep oxygen levels up overnight by keeping plants working in the system.

As cprguy stated, you may be able to drain the display tank water through the fuge before the sump to avoid an additional pump, but it will take more planning (and system mods) on your part to get the flow your fuge will need. A seperate pump with a ball valve will keep the fuge a plug and play system.