refugium help needed

[gkf]

hi folks
i have a 48" 40gal as my sump. refug area is 12" wide x 18" long and 11" water depth. i have watched many youtube videos with conflicting statements.


should sand be in this area?
i was thinking on around 3"
thanks
gordie

[phobos2deimos]

There is debate about that all day long. Some people like a completely detritus-free fuge - if that's the case, no sand, and keep enough flow down there to keep everything suspended in the water column.

Or you go full-on DSB for the benefits involved there.

I like a dirty, natural tank, so I do 3" and keep mangroves and other rooted/rhizomed macros in there.

[gkf]

thanks
why do some say Anaerobic bacteria is the goal in deep sand in a refug?
see what i don't understand is why there is back and forth wishy washy answers.
i just want this area when lit up at night to look attractive .
the area in this next pic to the right is the refug. and i feed it with the line to the left in pic 2 direct down from the overflow box above. it spills over to the return pump in the center area. skimmer section is to the left and it's feed with the line to the right in pic 2. it as well spills into the center pump area.

http://http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%2017.jpg (http://s400.photobucket.com/user/91owner/media/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%2017.jpg.html)

http://http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%209.jpg (http://s400.photobucket.com/user/91owner/media/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%209.jpg.html)

[dymaxiun]

depends on flow to be quite honest.

You didn't mention where this refugium area was located - only the size. Is in path to the return or on the other side of the return area to reduce flow?

[gkf]

you can see in pic 2 the red ball valve, this is the feed for the refug to control flow.
in my first pic the refug is to the right from that first panel i installed. this picture is just as i was putting it together months ago.

[dymaxiun]

you can see in pic 2 the red ball valve, this is the feed for the refug to control flow.
in my first pic the refug is to the right from that first panel i installed. this picture is just as i was putting it together months ago.


Do you have pics posted in another thread? if so, my apologies.

Im not seeing any here.

[gkf]

sorry brother they are post #3 above

[phobos2deimos]

The pictures broke in his posts, but the links came through my email notification:

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%2017.jpg

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/reef%20tank%20may%202014%209.jpg

[dymaxiun]

If it's on the right, provided there is enough flow (without massive surge of bubbles from overflow) you should be ok. you will get a lot of turbulent water in there....

Since you have your plumbing already set, i'd go with a way to diffuse the volume/bubbles, maybe a spray bar (PVC with holes drilled or cuts to spread the water evenly across the the refuge area, and you should get controllable dispersed flow. If not, possibly go with a bare bottom fuge to avoid any issues with possibly blowing away the sand into your skimmer and return pump area.

Beware of salt creep (bubbles/splashing from return) as well since the water level will be quite high - may need to fabricate a acrylic cover of sorts.

[dymaxiun]

Another thought - if you decide to replumb - i'd suggest manifold or tee your return with a small 3/4 line to feed your fuge area. This does two things, reduce turbulence, and bubbles since the return pump is not drawing air - clean water, and you can run a sand bed if you wish without worries.

[gkf]

wow very good info dymaxiun
i'm working on it this weekend, i will do a spray bar type . just about 6" piece of pvc and cut a slot down the length . i do want it as quiet as possible with no water tumbling sounds.
this will fit that bill.

now as for lighting, i have a 23 watt led setup that clamps on the rim with a goose neck for aiming. is this good for the refug?

[gkf]

ok guys
i have the sand in and a first attempt at a spray bar. this seems to be working great, no noise and no sand movement. what about the light i mentioned

http://http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/tn_reef%20tank%20sump%20refug%20april%202015.jpg (http://s400.photobucket.com/user/91owner/media/REEF%20TANK/tn_reef%20tank%20sump%20refug%20april%202015.jpg.html)

http://http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp87/91owner/REEF%20TANK/tn_reef%20tank%20sump%20refug%20water%20supply%20april%202015.jpg (http://s400.photobucket.com/user/91owner/media/REEF%20TANK/tn_reef%20tank%20sump%20refug%20water%20supply%20april%202015.jpg.html)

[dymaxiun]

Looks good! Glad it worked out for you.

[gkf]

thanks
but with just sand does it need to be lite up or dark?

[dymaxiun]

refugiums should always be lit up... That is how algae grows.

[gkf]

refugiums should always be lit up... That is how algae grows.

ok
on a reverse cycle to display tank or 24/7?

[dymaxiun]

I suggest reverse to maintain pH

[gkf]

ok that's perfect
thank you for the great advice
i'll let this run for a few weeks and keep you posted

oh one more question
should i seed the dead sand with anything like microbacter7 or zeovit anything?

[dymaxiun]

Anytime,,.

No. However, I do suggest moving your heater to the return chamber or anywhere outside of the fuge. Remember that you are reducing flow here. Keep your heater in a spot where it can come into contact with more water volume.

[gkf]

Anytime,,.

No. However, I do suggest moving your heater to the return chamber or anywhere outside of the fuge. Remember that you are reducing flow here. Keep your heater in a spot where it can come into contact with more water volume.

done sir
i use 2 x 150watt ehiem submersible and i moved as you suggested the one in the refugium to the skimmer section . both are there now.
i'm glad i posted the pics so my errors could be seen.
thanks for the great advice

gordie