tips on new fuge

[panaboy95]

I am going to start building a new fuge. I currently have the middle section of a 29 sump as a fuge. if you want to call it that. I have a flood light over it with some cheato in it. the cheato grows like a weed, but so does the hair algae. I run my light 24-7 should I run it on a reverse cycle to my tank lights?

as for the new fuge. I have got a 55 gallon tank I am going to make a fuge. I am going to put a pump in the sump to pump water from the sump to the fuge. the fuge will be about a foot taller than the main tank so it will then gravity feed into the main tank.

my questions are:

is there any way I can get a light bulb to use the normal florescent that came with the tank to light the fuge.

how much flow should I put through it?

how do a stop the hair algae from growing in it other than cutting the light cycle down. (I do not have any hair algae in the main tank?)

what does everyone grow in it except cheato I think it would be cool if it looked good. (its in my laundry room in the basement)

sorry so long winded just need a little advise.

 

[rams]

are you going to have sections in your fuge to create flow where you want it? With a 55 gallon maybe 500-700 gph

normal florescent hoods - you might want more lighting than that

what is everyone growing? I have seen some crazy stuff in goalie's sump. Depends on what you want.

 

[capncapo]

Like Dennis said, You may want something a little brighter than normal fluorescent lighting over your refugium.

There are varying theories about the amount of flow through a refugium depending on which expert you ask. One idea that is being put foth by Anthony Calfo is that you should have about a 3X flow through your refugium. Others recommend a much higher rate. Personally, I would go with something in the 3X to 5X range especially if you are going for something to look at.

Many people run their refugium lighting on a reverse cycle from the lighting on their tank to help keep the pH a little more stable. Keeping it on 24/7 would accomplish the same thing as long as you want to pay for the electricity.

In keeping with the idea that you want a fuge to look good you might consider growing some of the various sea grasses that are becoming more availble to hobbyists. They'll help with the nutrients and should give the fuge a "nicer" appearance.

Also, something to remember as far as your hair algae goes is that the only reason that it grows is because it has nutrients. This could be an indicator that you could be overfeeding the tank, need a bigger skimmer or are not doing water changes frequently enough.

 

[Im Lon 2]

I know people that would love to have hair algae only growing in there fuge .

How often do you do water changes? Do you do them from your fuge? are you running any type of mud in the fuge or just bare bottom? How old is the bulbs?

Walmart now carries 6500k Power Compact the spiral type you can use in the place of the standard bulb. they say 13watts = 60, or 26watts=100 I think they are by GE, but they are the Blue package and they state on the side 6500k. I have them from Home Depot and they have always worked great.

 

[panaboy95]

i know i need a bigger skimmer and i do water changes about everyother week. i need to do them once a week but i have been busy and it just never happens.

i did not think i would be able to use the lights but just thought if i had them i would ask. right now i just use a clip on light from lowes.