View Full Version : Refugium survey
SoonerFan732
02/22/2006, 03:56 PM
I am thinking of adding a refugium to my 75 gallon reef as the algae is taking hold in the main tank. My question is if anyone has refugium on their tank and if so how is it setup (what's in it, flow though it, how its working for you, lessons learned, etc...)?
Thanks!
Kevin Ford
Travis L. Stevens
02/22/2006, 04:02 PM
Well, Kevin, I have good news there for you. There really is no wrong way to set up a fuge. Sure, there are optimal ways. But you aren't going to crash your tank by setting one up :) I've been doing a lot of changing in sumps and refugiums lately. As of last night, I have a 10g tank with about 5g in it bare bottom with low flow and I use chaetomorpha algae as my algal scrubber. The basic concept of a refugium is to give a place for delicate things that normally wouldn't survive in your display to live and grow. Other than that, the rest is up to you. Tried and true methods are additions such as deep sand beds, live rock, rubble bottoms, algal scrubbers, Xenia scrubbers, Sponge and Tunicate scrubbers, and/or low flow. The most common set ups involve deep sand beds, algal scrubbers (chaeto prefered followed behind with Caulerpa), and low flow. As for lessons learned for me? I wouldn't be without one if I can help it. I've even taken the skimmer out of my sump.
zoomfish1
02/22/2006, 04:54 PM
Refugums are a great addition to the reef tank. Not only will you, more often than not, eliminate the unwanted algeas, but you can dose your tank through it, add the necessary macroalgeas and overall add a greater possibility of a healthier tank.
In my sump/refugum I have rock rubble to break up the micro bubbles from the drain side, then a couple of baffles to further eliminate the bubbles, then a small area for filter floss, carbon, etc.. then the refugum (an area of low flow), then finally the section for the pump. You could switch the pump/fugum arrangement if you wanted to.
In my opinion, the filter area is necessary to clean and polish the return water. I also have the heater and protein skimmer in the sump.
I would also not be without one. As a matter of fact I am changing mine out to a larger capacity sump/fuge. I am going from a tidepool II (13g) to a 20g diy.
aleiodubua
02/22/2006, 05:09 PM
I'm also about to get a sump for my 20g long mixed reef. Probably going with a regular 10g AGA with 3 or 4 baffles for bubble traps, and a HOB overflow. Hopefully all will work out well.
mskohl
02/22/2006, 05:28 PM
Well, Paul W. set up my sump/fuge and has a picture of it in another thread. So, direct the building questions his way, but as for testimony.... My nitrates were off the chart (80-100 ppm)when I had my emporer going with wheels, after a week with the sump and wheels sunk, the nitrates were at zero.
pwhitby
02/22/2006, 09:50 PM
Hi Stephanie, Im really pleased the nitrates dropped for you, and thats really fast.
When I set Stephanies up I added a deep sand bed and a lot of chaetomorpha. My experience is that these two really help lower nitrates.
Paul.
captbunzo
02/22/2006, 10:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6802680#post6802680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
There really is no wrong way to set up a fuge.
I gotta be slightly mean to you here Travis... :)
There IS a wrong way to setup a fuge - put predators in it. Then it's no longer a refuge. Sure, ain't gonna crash your tank though. :)
Youngsilver
02/23/2006, 05:38 AM
My fuge is a 5g bucket w/ a pvc overflow drilled in it. There is about 6" of sand, LR rubble and cheato. It is fed by my skimmer, then overflows into my 30g rubbermade sump. Lighting comes from a a 18 watt corallife PC setup. Ghetto.. yes, works great though.
captbunzo
02/23/2006, 08:46 AM
Btw. I am just giving you a hard time, Travis... :)
Travis L. Stevens
02/23/2006, 08:57 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6805630#post6805630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by captbunzo
I gotta be slightly mean to you here Travis... :)
There IS a wrong way to setup a fuge - put predators in it. Then it's no longer a refuge. Sure, ain't gonna crash your tank though. :)
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6807480#post6807480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by captbunzo
Btw. I am just giving you a hard time, Travis... :)
Of course you were. I wouldn't expect anything less ;) :thumbsup:
But he has a good point. If it wasn't clear what I said in my first post, what he said is what I meant :confused: :D A lot of people ask what they should add to their sump all too often. Many people actually ask if they can put a mandarin or a pipefish down there. It defeats the whole purpose of a refugium if you add anything down there. It's a refuge for all the delicate things. Now, on occassion, things will get banished down there, I'm sure. Gorilla Crabs, unwanted nudibranchs, etc, etc.
Travis L. Stevens
02/23/2006, 09:02 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6806794#post6806794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Youngsilver
My fuge is a 5g bucket w/ a pvc overflow drilled in it. There is about 6" of sand, LR rubble and cheato. It is fed by my skimmer, then overflows into my 30g rubbermade sump. Lighting comes from a a 18 watt corallife PC setup. Ghetto.. yes, works great though.
Ghetto or not, it was a great DIY. Get some pics of it. It looks good. Hey, have you tested your DIY Bulkhead yet?
Youngsilver
02/24/2006, 06:42 AM
No, I havent filled the tank more then 3" up yet, afraid i might have to move it, ill get some pics of the sump though
SoonerFan732
02/25/2006, 01:47 PM
Thanks for the information on refugiums!
SoonerFan732
03/06/2006, 08:34 PM
What kind of lighting do you use for the chaeto in your sump and where can I pick some chaeto up at?
It was mentioned that this helps with nitrate. Does it also effectively lower phosphate? Mine has been at 0.1 PPM for awhile now.
Thanks!
Kevin
Travis L. Stevens
03/07/2006, 08:19 AM
Chaetomorpha, along with any algae such as Caulerpa, use nitrates and phophates along with other things like iron, etc to grow. So, as long as your algae of choice is growing, then you are reducing nitrates and phosphates. You can light macro algaes with pretty basic lighting. Kelvin temperatures from 5700K to 6500K favor algae growth the most. I'm running a simple reflector found in the auto/tools section of Wal-Mart with a Lights of America PC bulb that is usually just a few aisles away. I use the 135w output bulb that is shaped like a flood lamp.
captbunzo
03/07/2006, 09:57 AM
Also popular is this bulb. It is the optimal sort of spectrum for growing macroalgae.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002K3OF6
I have one on my refugium and will add a second when I get my new sump built, which will happen when I have some money for some acrylic.
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