Max flow through refugium

[tgfrench]

Here is a couple of up dated pics. Maybe they will show you my layout a lil better.
You can feed your refug. by tee ing off from your tank overflow, and controlling the flow through the refug. with a separate valve. Hopefully by the pic you can see that the teeth are cut up high which controls the water level in the refug area.

thunderstruck:

Per your latest design the refug volume can only be as high as the lowest baffle, and the flow through the refug. area, will be goverened by the total output of your return pump to the tank.

In my design the flow through the refug. can be controlled more effectively through the valves.

 

[pjf]

DSB > Algae?

DSB > Algae?

While I had advocated a macro algae filter earlier, I'm studying Anthony Calfo's view that a DSB in a sump is more effective than a macro algae filter. On a thread titled "DSB in a bucket for nitrate control," Calfo states:

“macroalgae in the sump cannot even begin to compare in potential (its inferior) in this application if typical.”

Calfo does warn that the water flow above a DSB has to be high enough to prevent detritus from settling on it.

Another advantage that I see in a sump with a DSB is that there is no need for lighting.

 

[hahnmeister]

Throughput isnt so important for a fuge as long as use some sort of movement device inside the fuge. I have only 200gph going through a 25g fuge, but inside the fuge I also have a 400gph powerhead blowing things around. Its not like the macro is going to 'overextract' from even the smallest amount of flow going through the fuge, it doesnt even grab 10% in the time its in there. The water motion is more important for resperation than it is for availability of nutrients. This way, while the top and one side is turbulent, there is a plenty large 'slow section' where the pods always hang out.

 

[gary faulkner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8324466#post8324466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Throughput isnt so important for a fuge as long as use some sort of movement device inside the fuge. I have only 200gph going through a 25g fuge, but inside the fuge I also have a 400gph powerhead blowing things around. Its not like the macro is going to 'overextract' from even the smallest amount of flow going through the fuge, it doesnt even grab 10% in the time its in there. The water motion is more important for resperation than it is for availability of nutrients. This way, while the top and one side is turbulent, there is a plenty large 'slow section' where the pods always hang out.

I agree completely

 

[Thunderstruck]

Thanks for all this great dvice. Will be posting a new and improved design very soon!

 

[Whaledriver]

I think you need to decide if you want a algae filter or a refuge. If you want an algae filter then you can run with a high flow rate and not worry about disturbing the sand. In my experience if the flow is to slow over cheato you can build up slime algae on top of the cheato. I have not reached the point of having too much flow on my cheato is a problem. I also put in a power head in my sump for extra flow.