refugium - the proper set up...

[klayko]

I'm sooooo confused, :?: :?: :?:

I have been reading alot of refugs lately and there is so many different opinions/varieties of setups... Those of you that are using a refug today, please help..

Miracle Mud or DSB?
Gravity fed back to tank or pump?
Lighting needs?
Water flow?

I was reading on ecosystems.com (makers of miracle mud) that with miracle mud you should not have a DSB in the display tank, a calcium reactor is not preferred and no additives should be added to the tank? Does anyone follow these guidelines?

I have also heard that if the water from the refug is pumped back into the main tank that all my little copapod friends will die? Thoughts?

I'm thinking about building a 30g refug for my 120g reef. Will a 500g/hr pump be to much or to little flow?

Thanks for all your help!

Chris

 

[bradl.]

I think 500g sounds about right. I like a hidden fuge so Id say pump the water back. My advise to you would be no sand,lots of rock and plenty of room for cheato.Heres mine. And then the light I use.

 

[Len]

I am not a fan of "miracle mud." I'd recommend you using conventional aragonite sand. Refugiums have a very simple function, and that is to provide a predator-free habitat where algae/plants and smaller animals can cultivate (subsequently benefiting the tank). I recommend you keep it simple: A 2-4" deep sandbed comprised of fine aragonite sand, some live rock, and some good macroalgae like Chaetomorpha or Gracilia (I don't like Caulerpa). Flow rate isn't critical (5-10x timeover is fine). 500gph in a 30 gallon refugium is okay, though a bit on the high side IMO.

As for the orientation of the flow, the idea is to minimize the path between the refugium outlet and the display tank. In other words, you are aiming to reduce the number of pumps between the refugium and the tank. Though studies have shown small organisms can pass safely through most pumps, it's still a good idea not to pump them through that ordeal if possible. And make sure your refugium is not feeding into any filters like skimmers or mechanical filtration. Filtering out planktonic life negates a big benefit of refugiums.

 

[wayside]

what do you all feel about hang on refugiums?

I have a glass tank so I can't drill a built in overflow. I currently have a TruVu sump with hang on overflow but it was designed for bioballs. I took the balls out and replaced them with small containers holding chaeto, letting the water drip into these containers and spill out into the bottom where there is live rock and my heater. Then it's pumped back into the tank.

 

[Len]

Hang-on fuges are fine. It's just limited in volume, that's all. Good designs like CPR pump water into the refugium chamber where it overflows back to the tank via gravity.

How is your chaeto holding up partially exposed to air all the time? I wouldn't think they would be accustomed to that.

 

[wayside]

The chaeto is submerged all the time. They are in containers full of water, the way they exchange the water is through the flow down from the overflow pipe. When that water drips in, it overflows the container water and leads to the water circulation. It was kind of spur of the moment modification because I received my tank and equipment all in one deal, and didn't want to use the bioballs after reading lots of negative things about them.

Do you think this setup would work?

 

[Len]

Ya, it should work fine. It won't have a full benefits of a "standard" refugium with live rock and sand, but it's certainly much much better then bioballs

 

[wayside]

Thanks Len, I was hoping for that answer. That's why I want to combine it with a hang-on refugium or another sump (would increase filtering capacity with rock and chaeto, and increase water flow). If I was to buy one or the other, which one would you recommend - the hang on refugium or a separate sump?

I'm not sure if I want to get both. I already have lots equipment hanging off the back including the heater, a powerhead (probably will get more of these), return pipe from sump, skimmer, and hang on overflow box. Man I wish I started out with a drilled acrylic tank!