few questions.

[benak89]

Going to try setting up a sump and fuge again. First off what are advantages to a fuge? And I have a 125 dt and 2. 20 gallons I was going to set up for a sump and fuge. How can I set them up? And what's a good amount of flow for them? I don't want too much cuz my over flow is loud when too much water is going down. Also is there a way to quite that up? And what's a good size tank for a full grown sohal tang?

[Whys]

Depends on what you use your fuge for. Most frequently it is used for macro-algae and if fed with a separately controlled slow flow, pod production. Some like to cultivate liverock in it. Some like to put a Deep Sand Bed in it. Some go bare-bottom and let long hair green algae take over.

Algaes cleans nutrients from the water while pods can provide a usable food source. It works best as a food source if it is placed above and draining into the display tank. This would make it separate from your sump. Liverock and/or DSB also provide natural filtration.

There are ways to quiet it up. Usually it involves placing the drain inlet below water level, then running some air tubing down the drain shaft, playing with the length until the gurgle is gone.

[benak89]

ok so is a fuge that important i mean will i gain that much out of it? i have a 125 so i mean what would be the best fuge set up for it? also a bump for my other questions

[benak89]

anyone else?

[Whys]

Is a fuge important? Hard to say exactly. Again, it kind of depends on what you want to do. It isn't necessary if that is what you are asking. It does help provide additional filtration, but nothing another water change wouldn't do. I like it mostly for the opportunity to provide a more complete and balanced biotope. For me it's part of the hobby. It might not be for you.

If you decide on a fuge, recommended size is approx 15 to 20% size of your display tank. Mine comes in at 17.5%. So I guess I split the difference. :)

[benak89]

Well I have a 20g tank and u have a 20g for what will be my sump. So either I make it a water reserve for auto top or it will be a fuge. If I can fit like a 5g pale for a water resivor I may do that and keep the 20g for a fuge then...

[pledosophy]

IMO refuigums are important, but not everyone feels the same. IME they provide a continual source for cleaning the water, provide continual food through the day for my fish and corals, and balance my pH to keep it at a steady 8.2-8.3 24/7. Refugiums can also reduce the number of water changes you will need to do IME. I have one on every system.

If I was going to use 2 20g's I would have the display drain into the first 20g, have your protein skimmer etc in there, then have that drain to the refugium, then pull your return water out of there. You might need to add a powerhead to your refugium to keep the water flow up, I do.

For my reef system I use a mix of taxiflora and chaeto in the refugium works well at removing nitrates and phosphates as well as some heavy metals. I pruin once every other week.

As far as your drain from your tank to your sump did you use a duroso? a stockman? Maybe you don't know, could you post a pic so we can help you out on that. Different plumbing setups have different little tweaks to get them to shut up. I know a few, I'm kind of a freak about noise from the tank, I want my own quite slice of the ocean. ;)

Min recommended for a sohal is usally a 180g.

HTH

[benak89]

ok cool.. hmm idk the brand lol and dont have time for a pic tonight so maybe tom. after work i can get one on here! thanks for the info on the fuge. i think i will go ahead and set up a fuge and sump. with like a 5 or 10 gallon auto top off