Refugium idea, please critique.

[trick440]

Can someone critique this refugium idea?

I have been planning and idea like this for a bit but wasn't sure of the pros and cons.

My current refugium was designed to help with my pod population, that was really my only concern, and to hold cheato.

Well it has very low flow to help with pod growth. The low flow is hurting my cheato growth.. So I was thinking of adding this eggcrate design. Which will keep the lower area at a decently low flow, while the upper area I can increase the flow and the cheato will be closer to the light.

I few items I can think of that I have concern with is... The cheato sitting on screened eggcrate instead of sand.

And... The lower sand bed I have is 1" of mud, not sure if I should make that deeper and if I do with what type of substrate.

Is this setup bad for detritus?

 

[fload]

I think a better remedy would be to split the tank in the middle and allow one side to receive less flow the eggcrate might be easier to set up but I don't really see it helping your pod popluation as much as a dedicated "section" would I'm no expert just my opinion

 

[ElDiabloPollo]

What you designed is actually being discussed here Dupelx sump

The "dead space" will act as a benthis zone where pods as well as filter feeders such as tube worms, sponges, and tunicates will grow and aid in nutrient control.

J

 

[trick440]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9134257#post9134257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ElDiabloPollo
What you designed is actually being discussed here Dupelx sump

The "dead space" will act as a benthis zone where pods as well as filter feeders such as tube worms, sponges, and tunicates will grow and aid in nutrient control.

J

I seen that after I posted and started asking questions. I tried to delete this post put it was to late.

Still wondering if the 1-1.5" of mud is enough.

 

[ElDiabloPollo]

The jury is out on if you need a DSB or MM. I would say if you wan to use it the worst that will happen is it will start effecting you nitrate levels because it can become a "sludge pit". So worst case scenario you have to pull all the MM out in ~3 years. However I feel you probably do not need the MM.

If you do want it, 1"-1.5" should be ok but the jury is oout on how deep it needs to be to get anarobic bacteria to thrive, some say you need upwards of 6". But as I said nothing is proven in this area or at least over long periods so it is up to you.

 

[Rouselb]

i have been running a 65 gal refug with MM for 2 yrs. I am slowly changing over to a DSB with lots of LR and Macro. I have already removed 1/3 of the MM. MM is a great solution, just costly.