PhantomAce
New member
Hello all!
OK, as the title implies, I want to start up my refugium in my sump, and am curious as to the best way to go about it.
Here is what I am working with:
- DT: 104g actual water volume (Fujimoto 48"w x 18"d x 30"t).
- Sump: 26g actual available water volume, underneath the DT in stand.
- Drain: Eshopps 1000 overflow box with dual 1" drains, using DIY custom fabricated U-box with CPR style active siphon helper running off powerhead in the DT.
- Return pump: Mag-9.5 pushing through 3/4" PVC back to DT.
- Skimmer: EuroReef CS-6 that I bought NOS recently. (Old school, but was new in box, original buyer never installed it).
- Chiller: AquaLogic 1/4hp "Cyclone" style (Titanium cooling coil resides under the skimmer).
- DT lights are 2 each T5 48" 55w.
- Refugium lighting is single clip on fluorescent bulb.
- Alternate day/night cycled lighting for above via Coralife power controller.
Sump has been sectioned off as follows from left to right:
- Refugium compartment.
- Return Pump compartment.
- Skimmer compartment.
Drain from tank flows into refugium and skimmer compartments through separate feeds off drain manifold, then goes into central return section via baffles from each of those compartments.
Have a built-in recirculation circuit from return pump that can be used to recycle excess output directly into skimmer section.
Refugium is 5.54g actual usable volume when running (does not include the overflow area above when tank is off). Now, I know this is a small area, but this is a FOWLR set-up, and I only need the refugium as a buffer, and to grow some macroalgae and pods as food stock for future DT inhabitants. Not trying to build a reef system here, just a couple Triggers, angels, clowns, etc., and possibly a single BTA to host my paired Clarkii's (discussed in a separate thread).
Already have about 10-lbs of live rock in the refugium, and have non-skimmed water direct from DT plumbed to that area. Have it valved with the ability to slow down the flow in that chamber as well.
The system is up and running now, and I want to seed the refuge to start macro and pod growth. Have been thinking about getting a "starter kit" from LiveAquaria, but am wondering what the best way to get it to "take" is?
- Do I just shut the system down, attach the macro to the liverock in the fuge, pour in the pods, and then restart?
- Is there a "recommended" procedure that works best? If so, what is it?
- How long should it take for stability and growth to start?
Any suggestions/input greatly appreciated.
OK, as the title implies, I want to start up my refugium in my sump, and am curious as to the best way to go about it.
Here is what I am working with:
- DT: 104g actual water volume (Fujimoto 48"w x 18"d x 30"t).
- Sump: 26g actual available water volume, underneath the DT in stand.
- Drain: Eshopps 1000 overflow box with dual 1" drains, using DIY custom fabricated U-box with CPR style active siphon helper running off powerhead in the DT.
- Return pump: Mag-9.5 pushing through 3/4" PVC back to DT.
- Skimmer: EuroReef CS-6 that I bought NOS recently. (Old school, but was new in box, original buyer never installed it).
- Chiller: AquaLogic 1/4hp "Cyclone" style (Titanium cooling coil resides under the skimmer).
- DT lights are 2 each T5 48" 55w.
- Refugium lighting is single clip on fluorescent bulb.
- Alternate day/night cycled lighting for above via Coralife power controller.
Sump has been sectioned off as follows from left to right:
- Refugium compartment.
- Return Pump compartment.
- Skimmer compartment.
Drain from tank flows into refugium and skimmer compartments through separate feeds off drain manifold, then goes into central return section via baffles from each of those compartments.
Have a built-in recirculation circuit from return pump that can be used to recycle excess output directly into skimmer section.
Refugium is 5.54g actual usable volume when running (does not include the overflow area above when tank is off). Now, I know this is a small area, but this is a FOWLR set-up, and I only need the refugium as a buffer, and to grow some macroalgae and pods as food stock for future DT inhabitants. Not trying to build a reef system here, just a couple Triggers, angels, clowns, etc., and possibly a single BTA to host my paired Clarkii's (discussed in a separate thread).
Already have about 10-lbs of live rock in the refugium, and have non-skimmed water direct from DT plumbed to that area. Have it valved with the ability to slow down the flow in that chamber as well.
The system is up and running now, and I want to seed the refuge to start macro and pod growth. Have been thinking about getting a "starter kit" from LiveAquaria, but am wondering what the best way to get it to "take" is?
- Do I just shut the system down, attach the macro to the liverock in the fuge, pour in the pods, and then restart?
- Is there a "recommended" procedure that works best? If so, what is it?
- How long should it take for stability and growth to start?
Any suggestions/input greatly appreciated.
