Is the a such thing as to big when it comes to refugiums

[jawaits]

I have a 75 gallon tank and a 40 gallon sump. I am thinking about adding a 55 gallon refugium. Is that to much? Is the a such thing as too much? What benefits will I see? What issues will I see?

[Mrramsey]

I know a guy that has a 125g for a fuge. A dedicated fuge is something I'd like to try just don't have the space

[Vinny Kreyling]

The bigger the better!

[lewisrhoades]

I'd say too big is only dictated by floor support. Obviously if it crashes through the floor it was probably too large.

[sfdan]

I once had a 15 gallon tank with a 20 gallon fuge, it was great. Depending on what you are trying to do, there is going to be diminishing returns (at some point you'll only have so many pods in the DT or so much nutrient export), but a fuge is a cool ecosystem on its own.

[DrPheel]

I think most people issues with a refugium is that they are not big enough compared to the rest of the system. this is one of the things you can "go big or go home" . If its too small its just going to take up place for other equipment that will actually help your nutrient export.

happy reefing :)

[moatdaddy]

hahahaha, new tank, 50g main, 300g sump, so yea. The larger your water volume the less fluctuation of parameters.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-300-gal-capacity

[johno4]

I have a 30g tank, 30g sump, and a 20g fuge. Display looks great, no algae at all...

[bws]

only thing i would be worried about is tempered glass. i heard that 55's are all tempered glass and cannot be drilled. if you are thinking of doing any drilling on it

[apstreck]

only thing i would be worried about is tempered glass. i heard that 55's are all tempered glass and cannot be drilled. if you are thinking of doing any drilling on it
Only the bottom. Unless otherwise noted, most 55's are totally fine to drill. I drilled my last tank which was a 75, and it was only tempered on the bottom.

You can always check with a pair of polarized sunglasses and a laptop to be safe.

[rjjr1963]

I'm thinking about doing a 40 breeder refugium with mangroves and other macroalgae sitting beside my 180g. I'd throw in some critters and a couple small fish. I don't know how effective it would be at exporting nutrients but it can't hurt. I believe I can make it aesthetically pleasing and it should help to control algae in the tank. My goal is to create a more rounded ecological system using as few chemicals and reactors as is possible.

[newyorkerx]

FWIW - The refugium is a key part of the Triton system. They call for a refugium equal to between 10% and 20% of the display tank capacity.

[ca1ore]

I've always chuckled privately about folks using these tiny HoB refugiums and extolling the 'many' benefits. Doubt they do much of anything; so, yes all things equal a bigger refugium will give you greater benefits. I do think there is a point of diminishing returns though, particularly if you go so big that the dilution effect from water changes is compromised. My own personal RoT is not less than 20% and not more than 50% of display volume.

[Ron Reefman]

I have 2 systems set up, each with 2 DT's and a sump/refugium.
1) 180g sps/lps reef & 75g hex tank for Gorgonians. It has a 180g tank (8' x 2' x 18") with a 45g refugium, 45g DSB, 45g return and 45g for the skimmer and some extra LR.
2) 65g shallow reef (very mixed), 25g frag tank and a 120g tank with lots of LR (kind of storage) and 24g of it is a refugium.

In my opinion if you want a refugium, bigger is better if you have the room.

[RedStangGA]

I'm planning on a stock tank for my refugium. Main concern is it'll be in the garage so I'm worried about making it too big and absorbing too much heat. Garage is insulated but it'll be in central Florida. Sump is planned in the garage too.

The garage of another home we walked through in the neighborhood was warm but certainly not hot. Wondering if it would be worth it to insulate the sump and cover the fuge with an acrylic sheet. I'm hoping the thick stock tank would act as insulation for it.

So, 210/220gal tank in the house, 40b sump, and 65 gallon fuge. Figure total water volume should be in the neighborhood of 275gal with 100 of that in the garage. Hope I don't have to buy a chiller!

[Reeferz412]

I have a 92 gallon frag tank,2 40 breeder, and 275 gallon pvc tub fuge plumbed together. Best thing I have done is add that tub to my system. Parameters are rock solid. Plus I have an oversized skimmer, tons of sand, rock, and I grow mangroves. I also banish naughty fish to that tub and dont feel bad because its a huge tub.

[N-A-S-O]

I have a 92 gallon frag tank,2 40 breeder, and 275 gallon pvc tub fuge plumbed together. Best thing I have done is add that tub to my system. Parameters are rock solid. Plus I have an oversized skimmer, tons of sand, rock, and I grow mangroves. I also banish naughty fish to that tub and dont feel bad because its a huge tub.

In house or garage?

[Reeferz412]

In house or garage?


Garage.

[Reeferz412]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160318/ccbd16f7b4ed976685be6bff366b2e29.jpg
When it was up for its first couple of months.