Display refugium

[kidkaos520]

Does anyone have one set up (5-15g)? I wanted to ditch the filter sock and use a fuge....catch is it has to look nice and not like a fuge that way I can keep it out in the open.

 

[DgenR8]

'Fuge is a good thing to have, but it's not mechanical filtration like a filter sock. I run both, and expect that I'm not alone.

 

[kidkaos520]

Might I say this is odd speaking to you without me having and infraction . I have mixed feelings about filter socks my only issue is cleaning it every couple of days. If this is the norm I will suck it up. Pics of fuge's will help

 

[bdevillier]

If you are using felt socks try using the mesh and see if that works better for you. Most find they don't have to change them as frequently. However, the mesh socks don't filter as well as the felt so you'll need to find what works for you. BRS sells both mesh and felt socks for 5.99 and shipping is cheap. Try the mesh and if it doesn't work buy more felt and switch them every couple days until you have enough to run through the washer.

 

[zrogst]

to your original question, display fuge is totally possible. i don't have any good pictures to share, but you would essentially trade chaeto/caulerpa's export efficiency for more aesthetic macros like dragons breath, red&black mangroves, ochtodes, etc

i would start with a dsb if you have the vertical room, stake mangroves in place, and then go from there with ornamentals. leave lots of room for growth. the trimmings can earn you a couple bucks locally, too. could even add a clown or a few cardinals (there's a naked clown that hosts the grape caulerpa at AquaTouch's reef display fuge)

the system would benefit most from having the display fuge plumbed inline or UPSTEAM the DT (no pods getting sliced up by impellers), and being separate from your sump & mechanical filtration.


do a search for kataro's macro tank. he's local. it's not a fuge but could easily be one with a little plumbing - i understand the maintenance is very low on it.

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

I think a display fuge would be cool with caulerpa in the back and then put a few fish or shrimp in their for some activity.

Bob

 

[kidkaos520]

I don't want to go to big what's the smallest I can get away with for a 65g tank

 

[kidkaos520]

Also can you elaborate on inline and upstream plumbing

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

I had a 10g fuge with my 55. I had my 10g fuge drain into another 10g tank that had a protein skimmer and return pump.

Sorry for the sucky cell phone pics.

I used 2 10g tanks because the stand wouldn't allow anything wider.

Bob

 

[zrogst]

I don't want to go to big what's the smallest I can get away with for a 65g tank

For a display fuge you can go as small as you want. a 20L would give you enough space for planting, increase your volume, and still be manageable.

In-line is connected on the same level, side by side with bulkheads and pvc connecting them.

Up-stream would have the Fuge drain via gravity to the Display (then likely via gravity to a sump with mechanical filtration and back up to the Fuge via pump)


EDIT: I would light your fuge with planted tank & daylight T5 bulbs.

 

[DgenR8]

Might I say this is odd speaking to you without me having and infraction .

I try to be helpful, when time allows
Filter socks come in different varieties. You can get felt or polyester, and micron ratings as small as 5 micron (maybe even smaller) that will catch pretty much anything and clog up rather quickly, on up to several hundred microns which don't catch the smallest particles, but will run for a long time without cleaning. I run primarily 10 and 50 micron socks. They need cleaning often, but I use them for running lanthanum chloride to remove PO4 (a topic for another thread) and the very small size is important in that regard.
I recently learned that washing soda is an appropriate and safe "detergent" (it's not soap, at all) for cleaning them, and is far more effective than just hot water alone.

 

[ech0o]

lol please, do not put caulerpa into a display fuge

 

[kidkaos520]

To explain why I wanted the display fuge is to create pods to keep a pod feeders such as dragonets. My sump does not allow me to keep a mini fuge (that I know of) the sump is an eshopps rs-100

 

[tdp22]

x1 no calpura

 

[dotcommer]

I recently learned that washing soda is an appropriate and safe "detergent" (it's not soap, at all) for cleaning them, and is far more effective than just hot water alone.

Are you talking about this

How much do you use per load. I am looking for a good solution to clean my filter socks.

 

[DgenR8]

That's the stuff. I've only run two "loads" of socks with it so far, but I filled up the washer's soap tray to the line and let it rip. The second time, I used a little less and both times the socks came out looking very clean, especially compared to the results I got from hot water alone.
I also recently started using bleach, which I was always afraid to do before, but after talking with folks that I trust, I'm sure that the bleach is gone by the end of the second wash, and I generally run this washer at least 4 times with my socks in it.
I use 10 micron and 50 micron 7"X 14" socks three at a time, they clog fast (couple/few days) and I wash 10 or so at a time.. I'm sure that 100 or 200 micron socks would last longer and are easier to clean. My washer is at least partially to blame, it's a new top loader with no agitator. It doesn't do a good job. If I knew what I was getting into when the wife said "That one!", I would have fixed the old one again.
Long story short, I have been assured by someone that I'm confident knows, that both bleach and unscented washing soda are safe, and by eye, they are very effective.

 

[kidkaos520]

I'll have to give that washing soda a shot

 

[zrogst]

for what it's worth, I wash a pair of large socks every week (the ones with the plastic rings connected to them) in the wash machine with a capful of bleach. I only run them once and let them air dry.

 

[dotcommer]

I generally run this washer at least 4 times with my socks in it.

thanks for the info, I am going to try that out. You run the socks first time with Soda wash, then the other 3 times, just hot water. How long of a cycle do you use each time?

 

[DgenR8]

Usually heavy duty cycle, sometimes with a soak and/or extra rinse.