New Refugium Questions

[kmerchant]

I'm setting up my first fuge, and wanted advice from people who have succesful fuges. I'd appreciate anyone who is willing to share their success ingredients:

40g display tank
20g glass sump
3300/2600 Via Aqua return pumps
fuge size (dimensions between baffles) will be ~10"Lx10"Tx12"W

- How much space do you like between each baffle (1/2")?
- How much space do you like at the bottom of the upper baffle (1")?
- How many lbs of LS do I need?
- How much LR? (I have a lot in the display tank)
- What kind of macro-algae is the best?
- I have a lot of kelp, does that pull nitrate out and will pods reproduce in it?
- What micro-algae cleaners are best in the fuge (hermits, snails, etc)?
- How much light do I need over it (is 2 18w PC enough)?
- How long do you leave the light on per day?
- What kind of light is good over the fuge (white/actinic/pink)?

I really appreciate everyones recommendations. I promise to read all the replies and use the information to make the best fuge I can.

Thanks RC!

 

[Fuegofish777]

well, i wish i could answer all of your questions, but i only have a hang on fuge so mine is quite simplified. i liked using live rock rubble instead of whole big pieces, i just find it creates more caves and crannies for stuff to grow in. i put in as much sand as it took to make about 2 1/2" (sorry i dont know how to calculate that). cheato is probably the most recommended macro to use, though i use a little blend just to vary things up. i think that much lighting might work, i would try for more but i think you could work with it. mine is lit by sunlight so the plants grow like crazy. if you must use bulbs, lower kelvin ratings are better; like 10k or even 6500k. also, i would have the lights go on at night. i forget what the term is called, but it counter balances the pH drop that normally occurs at night, that way you stay more stable. HTH

 

[mg426]

I went about it differantly but anyway you set one up should work.I set a 30 gallon about a foot higher than my 125.I used a maxijet 900 to pump from the mail tank to the fuge.I used an overflow siphon (Homemade fairly easy to do and really cheap) back to the main tank. I drilled a siphon break hole in the line from the main tank.I also installed a normally closed float switch on the fuge.If by any reason the water gets to high in the fuge the float switch shuts the maxijet off.Its works great.I tested it for a power failure and all was well.No floods or messes. Hope this helps

 

[corals b 4 bills]

Love the overflow siphon idea, how exactly did you acomplish this? I've tried to do this before but failed.

 

[marxsman]

Here is a picture of one I built out of a 10 gal. 3 baffles. The first one is 1 inch off bottom so water flows down through live rock and up through live rock into the middle chamber with live sand and 3 types of calupera. I used an over flow box in the far right chamber.
The lights come on 2 hours before display shuts off. It keeps ph from fluctuating. I also have a sifting star and a sifting clam in there

 

[mg426]

Go to your LFS and take some measuements.Then get some lexan or acrylic and go to work.Use methylene chloride to bond it all together. or you could buy one for about 50 bucks. Try about.com they have lots of DIY things on there.