Questions and opinions needed on above tank refugium idea

JonezNReef

Member
I am in the planning stages of an above tank refugium. I would like to think that this could act as a place for all kinds of little life forms to thrive and reproduce and supply the DT with lots of live food. I was considering having a 20gal above my DT being fed water by an ATS. I would like to have a DSB about 10 inches or so with live rock and some macro algae. And have it drain directly into the DT so little creatures can flow freely to feed the DT.
I was wondering if it would cause my system to go threw a small cycle again?
Do you think it might be possible to light the fuge with the lights from the ATS if I angled them right?
Would a 10" sand bed be too much or would it be better long term to do a rock rubble bed instead? Have it suspended off the floor on egg crate so I can clean the bottom out every once and awhile. I'm not a huge fan of DSB because I don't want to deal with it getting loaded with crap that could become a problem in the future. I currently run BB and was wondering if I did use a DSB in the fuge like a remote DSB if it would benefit the entire system?
I will draw up the entire idea soon and I know all my questions are dependent on a lot of opinion but that's what I'm hoping for is a bunch of choices and ideas!
 
My fuge is over my display as well. I originally plumbed it to drain in the display. Seemed to constantly adjust the siphon drains on the display and the fuge. I plumbed it to the return chamber of my sump and have had very little problem since. Just make sure your sump can handle the extra flow in case of a power outage. I did notice a large build up of detritus in my fuge. I think it had my phosphates running high for a while.
 
So since space is getting tight in the fish room I went with a 10g instead. I am thinking I am going to go the rock rubble on egg crate route so cleaning will be easier when needed.
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I partitioned it so if the pump stops then there is only a small amount that will drain and I don't have to worry about the sump overflowing if the electric goes out


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