How much flow for pods in refugium?

[Sk8r]

DO pods need flow at all? Do they care? Does the refugium health require it?

I'm setting up in a 1 and 1/2 gallon lighted Topfin plastic tank siphoning to my sump. I have everything but the water lines.

 

[LeslieH]

It really depends on the type of pod! There are only several hundred thousand types..... :lol:

If they're filter feeders then they'll need flow. If they're scavengers, grazers, or predators they won't. If your tank is healthy they should do fine.

 

[akrimmel]

you might do a minimum amount of flow just to be safe due to the limitless amount of pods.

 

[rustybucket145]

I feel the higher the better, within reason. I have almost 20x turnover for my refugium and I have a ton of pods. but 20x for you would only be 30gph. That seems really low to me. When in doubt, go higher.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

If its an actual refugium with flora then I would suggest a 10x turnover rate minimum but 20x is better. If you are stricty trying to produce pods then I suggest you fill the bottom 1/8 of the tank with filter sponges (sink them down so the act as a substrate) and then hang micron filter socks of various sizes with fishing line through out the tank. I would suggest anywere from a 5x-10x turnover rate for something like this. The filter sock method was suggested by Anthony Calfo and the filetr sponge method ws suggested by the guy who runs http://www.reed-mariculture.com

I have something setup like this ... its like a pod hotel, Ive never seen anything like it.

 

[reefnewbie54321]

Note: turnover rate is for the 1 1/2 gallon tank so a 10x turnover rate would be 15 gph. I am never sure what people mean when they say turnover rate so I thought I should verify

 

[hahnmeister]

The high throughput suggested by most fuge marketers is to facilitate the uptake of nutrients by the macro algae...the more flow, the better and more effective the uptake because the algae has more chances to absorb chemicals. Most macros seem to grow better with more flow.

For pod propigation, the flow is not so important. Keep in mind that most of the pods in the reef are benthic, and so flow is not a critical issue. Too much flow can flush a pod population right out though, or make plankton feeding harder for them.

For this reason, I believe that a good throughput necessary, but with minimal turbulence and velocity. The flow should be high in volume, but spread out across the whole refugium.

 

[crypto]

my macro and pods grow like mad with a low turnover, probably 1x. the one drawback is that I get more scum on the surface.

 

[Blown 346]

I would have no more than 500 GPH going thru a fuge.

 

[cweder]

I believe Anthony Calfo's suggestion was to hang a course filter pad or several spaced apart and not filter socks. The pads allow the water to flow through them. Cheatomorpha works for me as a course filter pad.

 

[blfuller123]

If you are starting a new fuge, start with minimal flow. As time goes increase the flow in small incriments. It will let the pod population build up and let the macro build up without being flushed out. I have done this with mine and now have one 1 inch drain on my 75 gallon flowing unristricted into the fuge before it goes to my sump.