What is the smallest fuge to be worth doing?

[mosesbrown]

Better question is: What is the right sized refusium to handle a 75 gal tank.

Or, maybe even a better question is: Is there a good ratio of tank volume to refusium size as a good rule of thumb?

I would figure that the bigger the better, but how small is too small. Gallons and sand surface area/volume of sand?

 

[ionredline0260]

I think I remember seeing that a fuge should be 1/3rd your tank volume, however I have a converted HOB filter as a fuge and I figure it's better then nothing. I'd say what ever you can manage would be alright.

 

[scottwhitson]

I have a 30 gallon as a sump on my 75 and I would say my refuge size is 10 gallons and I think I have plenty of room for macro and live rock in my opinion.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

I have a 20long under my 75 and it works out great. Plenty of room for my skimmer and about half is still dedicated to macro and rubble.

 

[mosesbrown]

I was planning on Using a 30 gallon for the 75 that I have. It seemed sort of cramped. I would like to have a large area for my return pump, so I do no have to top off the tank everyday. I will likely look into a top off system at some point. However, $$$$$ is a consideration right now.

 

[King Nine]

Mine is not set up yet but my guy that I'm buying it from is setting up a 20 gallon sump for my 75 tank. I've seen it in action in his store and it works great.

 

[scottwhitson]

If I was to due mine over again I would make the fuge area smaller and the return section bigger as well. My fuge and drain section are about the same size and I wish that I made the fuge smaller. I can only go one day right now but am currently setting up my auto top off.

 

[agsansoo]

I have a 5.5 gal refuge for my 60. The tank cabinet has a divider in the middle of it, limiting my space. Refuge has a softball size ball of macro algae in it. It has lowered my nitrates.

 

[mosesbrown]

Scott,
Your setup seems very similar to mine and the direction that I am/was heading. I have a 75AGA drilled with Mega Flow Kit. Running with a 30 Gallon Sump and a Euroreef ES135. I was getting ready to put partitions in the Sump and the return section was going to be too small. I think I might build a new stand to hold an old 75 Gallon tank and build that into a sump/fuge. I have a 135 African Cichlid Tank that may someday become the display tank and then I would already have an appropriatly sized sump and fuge. How long has your system been up and running? What other issues have you incountered?

 

[Paintbug]

heres a great page on sumps, design and all. http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

i am in process of building a sump myself as well. i picked up a 20g or so acrylic tank for $10. once complete it will be something like Melevs first design. THANKS MELEV!!!