refugium?

[LaurieC]

I don't have room for a sump so I currently have an Eheim Professional 3, an Eheim pro 2229, along with a Bak Pak Protein Skimmer on my 55g. I'm thinking of adding an refugium, but wanted to get feed back on if it is worth it? I would need to get something to hang on the back of the tank.

 

[rkaragozler]

Is the tank on a stand?

 

[LaurieC]

sort of--I had a built in area in my apt. where there used to be a TV so I have the tank on that. It is about 30 inches off the ground and under the tank are two side-by-side compartments that are 26"w x 27"h x 19"d. My tank is not drilled though. I have room for the CPR AquaFuge2 behind the tank.

 

[beerfish]

I had a CPR fuge for awhile. If you don't have a sump I think it's a great addition. You can grow cheato in it and it's awesome for pod growth. I know that there's some debate over it, but I ran mine with miracle mud and loved it.

 

[rkaragozler]

is that the total dimension, or for each cabinet

 

[LaurieC]

THat's exactly what I had in mind, Beerfish--I have a pretty simple question, but do you use a net to take pods out to feed the tank or do the pods run into the tank in the water from the refugium? And do you keep anything besides mud and Cheto in there with the pods?

 

[LaurieC]

yes total dimension for each cabinet

 

[LaurieC]

Here's a photo of set up

 

[rkaragozler]

If their is nothing, in betwwen the two cabinets you can make a sump.

 

[LaurieC]

see photo--there is a support beam/wall that seperates the two compartments. Although looking online, it looks like I'd have room for a 20G sump--Eshops brand

 

[rkaragozler]

you could use a 10 gal tank and make a sum/fuge, hang the skimmer on the 10 gallon and all the heaters inside the 10 also

 

[rkaragozler]

You could use a 10 gal tank as a sump/fuge. you would hang your skimmer on the 10 gallon, and also put your heaters in their as well.
sorry double post, computer acting up again

 

[dj ze]

you could use a 25 or 30 tall the bigger the better a 10 gallon is to small to work with you need room to divide the compartments for the fuge and you dont want to place the skimmer over the fuge it has to be placed where the your water dumps in or else your going to be pulling out all the life that's intended to establish

 

[LaurieC]

What about this: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3587+18365&pcatid=18365

 

[rkaragozler]

I think her dimensions were 26x27x19
a 25 =24 1/4x12 1/2x20 3/4
and 1 30 tall=24 1/4x12 1/2x 24 3/4

 

[rkaragozler]

something like this

back left fuge, front left skimmer, right return

 

[beerfish]

THat's exactly what I had in mind, Beerfish--I have a pretty simple question, but do you use a net to take pods out to feed the tank or do the pods run into the tank in the water from the refugium? And do you keep anything besides mud and Cheto in there with the pods?

Nope, no net... they'll end up washing in to the tank on their own.

While a sump isn't a bad thing generally, the best way to do it is by drilling the tank. In order to do so, you'll need to empty the tank. Overflow boxes can be risky. If you choose to go that route, make sure you get a good one with a siphon starter in case of power outage.

 

[rkaragozler]

+1 for beerfish

 

[LaurieC]

ok I think I'll have to forgo the sump idea and stick to a hang on the back refugium for this one. Next tank! Perhaps the refugium will still give me some benefits on water quality in the hang on back format.