Do I really need the refugium?

[electricd7]

Hi,

I am in the middle of designing my own sump. It has to be a very narrow one because of my stand, so I am working with 28"L x 12"H x 9"W. I need about 10-11" for my skimmer minimum and about 7" for my pump chamber. After adding baffles, that only leaves about 6 or so for the refugium. Would it even be worth it for a 6"x9" refugium, or should I adjust my skimmer/sump chambers to take up the whole ammount. And if I do that, which would I make larger? Seems like the skimmer chamber would be more beneficial larger, that way I could add a phosban system or something. Am I missing something? All this is making my head spin! Thanks!

 

[dustin323]

If you leave out the refugium I would make the skimmer chamber larger. However I'd leave in the refugium, even if small. I still think 6" x 9" will be somewhat beneficial.

 

[SHAWNLX86]

I would leave in the refug. 6 X 9 is enough room to throw in some chaeto.