Refugium Placement?

[Mare100]

Hi again...

Looking to start up a refugium for our 55 gal. Looks like our only choice is going to be one of the "hang on the tank" models. Will the largest (Aquafuge 24) be big enough?

Also...anybody know what the proper placement is as far as water flow? Should the water leave the tank....go into the sump....through the skimmer.....THEN into the refugium and back out to the tank?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

M

 

[plummike]

On my reef I use a drilled 20 gallon which is elevated behind the tank. I have a pump in my sump that pumps to the fuge which drains to my tank.
Fish tank has a HOB Fuge that I power with a Maxijet 1200. The large CPR unit does OK on the 125. Typical Nitrates are under 10ppm.

 

[Mare100]

Thanks....

That makes sense to me. We have a nice sized sump under our 120 reef....but the darned protein skimmer takes up the big chamber. We do have a smaller chamber before the big one....about 4" x 8". Is this enough room to put a little refugium area with deep sand, rubble rock and cheato that will be effective to the tank do you think?

M

 

[PPi]

I would try to look at a larger area for your refugium,. You will need nice sand bed. I have had recommendation to have a deep sand bed, some cheato, and live rubble. This is just from what I gathered from the forums.

Basically the larger the better, it is going to be your asset to filtering your tank and feeding your corals, so a little go far for your setup

Take this all from a beginner, I am just starting my fuge for my 46 bow. Here is what I have so far...

Ocotpus 150, 30 refuguim, Mag 7, and a lifereef overflow.

 

[Amphiprion]

The sand bed isn't necessary and won't work well unless there is plenty of surface area. Most people that set up in sump refugia don't have the surface area necessary to keep the beds long term, anyway. My recommendation is just to use Chaetomorpha and maybe some live rock rubble (also provides an anchoring point if you use algae like Caulerpa spp.). As far as providing flow and feed flow, try to keep the flow to the skimmer and 'fuge separate for optimal processing. A good turnover should be provided to keep detritus from settling all over the algae.

 

[Mare100]

Thanks guys!

My sump actually looks pretty similar to Ppi's....3 compartments...only our skimmer (A Euro-Reef 100, I think) is massive and takes up the entire center (bigger) compartment. I really didn't think the left compartment (where the water comes in) was big enough to make a difference. But I can put some rock and Cheato in there at least. Actually....for what it's worth...I might just go ahead and set up a little dedicated refugium next to the tank.....because besides the Cheato coming....I ordered some red Ogo and some other Green Macroalgae for my tangs that I would love to cultivate. So if I do this....I don't necessarily have to have the fuge as part of the main watercolumn of the tank? Just it's own separate pump and return?

Gosh I feel so stupid about this....I don't know why I'm not comprehending this! DUH! LOL!

M