refugium for barebottom?

1010 · 12/22/2006, 11:36 AM

do you need to have a refegium for a BB tank? and if so how big does the refeguim need to be for 180g. or how much flow is need in the tank? any good threads?

serpentman · 12/22/2006, 11:38 AM

I think a fuge is even more necessary with a BB as there is not sand bed to convert nitrates to nitrogen. A fuge will help uptake nitrates.

Personally, my attitude is the bigger the refugium, the better. I am currently running a 55g fuge but would go 125 if I had the space. That being said, any is better than none.

The flow through mine is probably 3-5x the fuge volume per hour.

1010 · 12/22/2006, 11:54 AM

you think im going to have problems with a 20gallon refeguim?

papagimp · 12/22/2006, 12:02 PM

My 10g refugium (with only about 4-5 gallons sections off for the actual refugium part) works wonders on my 55g. I think a 20g would work just fine for the 180. Although the bigger, the better. Alot is going to depend on how the tank is stocked, fish you keep, feeding, water quality. All those things to take into consideration. If you have craploads of nitrates and phosphates then a larger refugium with more macro would definatly be better. If you water quality stays pretty good and you just want a pod factory going, then something like a 20 would work, unless every fish in the tank was a pod eater. Go for the biggest you can afford and safely fit under in the stand.

Dr.FuManchu · 12/23/2006, 09:28 AM

A refugium is not necessary nor desirable for a BB tank. If the BB tank is run the way its supposed to, there is no build up of nitrates or phosphates, which a refugium is supposed to remove. The basic concept is to have high flow and wet skimming to remove proteins/waste products/food, etc. before they start to break down.

1010 · 12/23/2006, 11:54 AM

I have 4-317gph powerheads and a mag9.5 return pump in my 180 gallon. Im planning on putting a closed loop not sure on size of pump or placement. whats your thought on the flow that i have?

12/22/2006, 11:36 AM	#1
1010 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elgin Posts: 100	refugium for barebottom? do you need to have a refegium for a BB tank? and if so how big does the refeguim need to be for 180g. or how much flow is need in the tank? any good threads?

12/22/2006, 11:38 AM	#2
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	I think a fuge is even more necessary with a BB as there is not sand bed to convert nitrates to nitrogen. A fuge will help uptake nitrates. Personally, my attitude is the bigger the refugium, the better. I am currently running a 55g fuge but would go 125 if I had the space. That being said, any is better than none. The flow through mine is probably 3-5x the fuge volume per hour. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

12/22/2006, 12:02 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	My 10g refugium (with only about 4-5 gallons sections off for the actual refugium part) works wonders on my 55g. I think a 20g would work just fine for the 180. Although the bigger, the better. Alot is going to depend on how the tank is stocked, fish you keep, feeding, water quality. All those things to take into consideration. If you have craploads of nitrates and phosphates then a larger refugium with more macro would definatly be better. If you water quality stays pretty good and you just want a pod factory going, then something like a 20 would work, unless every fish in the tank was a pod eater. Go for the biggest you can afford and safely fit under in the stand. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/22/2006, 11:54 AM	#3
1010 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elgin Posts: 100	you think im going to have problems with a 20gallon refeguim?

12/23/2006, 09:28 AM	#5
Dr.FuManchu Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 257	A refugium is not necessary nor desirable for a BB tank. If the BB tank is run the way its supposed to, there is no build up of nitrates or phosphates, which a refugium is supposed to remove. The basic concept is to have high flow and wet skimming to remove proteins/waste products/food, etc. before they start to break down.

12/23/2006, 11:54 AM	#6
1010 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elgin Posts: 100	I have 4-317gph powerheads and a mag9.5 return pump in my 180 gallon. Im planning on putting a closed loop not sure on size of pump or placement. whats your thought on the flow that i have?