Refug or ats?

[rogergolf66]

I'm looking to put one in my new setup. The reason for posting in chem forum is my goal.



I have always had low ph issues. All I want to know is what one do u think will keep ph higher and algea turf scrubber or a refugium?

Thx

 

[Tigerdragon]

Both pretty much serve the same purpose of nutrient removal. Is your alkalinity numbers ok? Dont really chase the ph if numbers are good. Make sure you have good surface disturbance for gas exchange if you have to open a window near tank it makes a diff.

 

[Reefvet]

All I want to know is what one do u think will keep ph higher and algea turf scrubber or a refugium?

Thx

Neither one.

Each can have some effect on pH but neither one will do so consistently.

Research Kalkwaser. It's the most effective way to stabilize pH and it's drop dead easy.

 

[dartier]

I have used them both. I would vote fuge over ATS. I am currently running a reverse photo fuge and my PH stays between 8.22 and 8.3 24x7. Also I love watching the critters that crawl around a fuge, and I hated cleaning the ATS. Way too much work.

As others have mentioned, there are other means of supplanting PH that are easier to implement. Kalk and external airline for your skimmer. I used to run kalk, though I am not currently, and I have my skimmer on external air.

Dennis

 

[rogergolf66]

I have used them both. I would vote fuge over ATS. I am currently running a reverse photo fuge and my PH stays between 8.22 and 8.3 24x7. Also I love watching the critters that crawl around a fuge, and I hated cleaning the ATS. Way too much work.

As others have mentioned, there are other means of supplanting PH that are easier to implement. Kalk and external airline for your skimmer. I used to run kalk, though I am not currently, and I have my skimmer on external air.

Dennis

Thx. Yes I have spent years trying to fix the ph issue. Skimmer air line is outside. I even run a co scrubber just in case. The cause is calcium reactor and high co2 levels in the house. Most of the year I can't open the windows near the tank. To hot or to cold

Thx for your vote. I am hopping to get more votes. I don't mind the maint. I have run a fug in the past reverse lit. It did a great job for ph. I haven't run a ats so I was kind of wanting to try one out.

 

[tmz]

Don't know which is better ; depends on the particular set up ( ,size type of algae , space, lights, flow nutrients.etc). Both use CO2 and contribute oxygen. Both add algae exudates to the water. I prefer refugia.

 

[rogergolf66]

Don't know which is better ; depends on the particular set up ( ,size type of algae , space, lights, flow nutrients.etc). Both use CO2 and contribute oxygen. Both add algae exudates to the water. I prefer refugia.

This is the plan I have a lot of room.

Sorry couldn't figure out how to rotate img

 

[bertoni]

I can rotate the diagram and send you a copy, if you'd like.

 

[bertoni]

Are you T-ing the overflow so that you can regulate the flow rate through the refugium? Also, I'd probably run the baffles all the way across the sump, I think. I have never built a refugium or a sump, though.

 

[rogergolf66]

Are you T-ing the overflow so that you can regulate the flow rate through the refugium? Also, I'd probably run the baffles all the way across the sump, I think. I have never built a refugium or a sump, though.

Yes i am ting off overflow with valves. I will have another drain as a backup too

 

[bertoni]

That all seems fine to me, but I have little experience in this area.

 

[rogergolf66]

That all seems fine to me, but I have little experience in this area.

What do u think about the ph part of my question?

 

[bertoni]

If you light the refugium at night, it might help with the pH level. The success rate varies. The bigger the refugium, and the more algae that is grown, the bigger the effect, but a skimmer can do a lot to bring carbon dioxide back into the water.

 

[rogergolf66]

What size refuge would i need in say a 300 gal system?

 

[bertoni]

That seems to vary a lot. I wouldn't want to try to predict much. There's the surface area, the nutrient levels, the lighting, and probably other factors to consider.