live sand VS hang-on refugium

[gallitja]

I've had a successful 75 gal reef tank for three years, then shut down due to birth of child. Now, six years later things have CHANGED.
Please help me decide on live sand VS refugium. I'm thinking of going with 1" of live sand along with the use of a 24" hang-on refugium with 1gal of mineral mud, 2" of live sand, and 5-10# live rock in it. This seems to be much cheaper than 3" of live sand $430 VS $600, respectively. Will my proposal be as effective as the 3" of sand without a refugium. I'm planning on including 100-125 # of live rock, as well.
Please offer some advice.

 

[danmhippo]

WOW, 125 pounds of LR for a 75G tank?? Your tank will be.....ugh..... stuffed!

I believe with the use of DSB, the ratio of the LR/# can be decreased to at least 1:1 ratio or less. Besides, one of the main purpose of DSB is to develop the anaerobic zone for anaetobic bacteria to colonize and break down the nitrate. You need a whole tank square footage area to ensure its efficiency.

If I were you, I would go with full coverage of LS DSB and ease up on purchase of LR. The saving on the LR should make up for the purchase of LS.

 

[Joew]

Not really, i have 100lbs in a 90. Dosen't take up that much space. If i add anymore rock i'll add atleast 50-75 lbs of show size rock.


JoeW
_________________
Eye / Vision Forum

 

[ChrisRD]

Depends on the rock. Keep in mind that if you're talking about a light, porous Pacific rock like Marshall, 75# could displace similar volume to say, 125# of a denser rock like some of the aquacultured stuff that comes out of the Gulf of Mexico.

If you're trying to save money you could look into making your own rock, doing part of the structure in a cheaper base rock, or checking out a local club to see if any fellow hobbyists in your area are selling rock.

As for the live sand/refugium thing - with the amount of live rock you're planning on having you'll have more than enough biological filtration with or without a sandbed or refugium. Some feel refugiums can be helpful with providing some live food to your system, or providing a place to grow macros for added nutrient export, but IMO they are optional. With plenty of live rock and a good skimmer you'll have all the filration you need IME. JMO & HTH...

BTW Gallitja, :welcome:

 

[gallitja]

Thank you for the tip. I'll try a half to one inch of live sand. I suspect I'll still need copious amounts of detrivitores. Additionally, I'm planning on three prw heads and the return from the skimmer for circulation. Do I need to focus any of the power heads towards the sand to keep detritus from settling?

 

[wade1]

Keep in mind that an algal scrubber (and here I believe you actually mean algal scrubber, not refugium) does not replace the primary conversion of nitrogen waste. You still need that rock/sand surface in order to convert it to convert the ammonia that fish release.

As for current, the more you have the better. Ideally, you wnt to break it up and make is as random as you possibly can. Do't worry about detritus settling, unless you see spots where it happens alot. I would then alter circulation a bit more.

I would also HIGHLY advise you to purchase a good skimmer. It will save your tank from algae and other issues down the road. It is exceedingly difficult to run a clean tank without one.