Refugium in drain chamber??

GOSKN5 · 05/31/2016, 08:27 AM

I want to incorporate a refugium in my sump, for the benefits and because I think it's cool

...

My sump is very simple, one drain into filter sock in first chamber, one baffle followed by skimmer and return pump in a shared chamber.

Any reason I cannot make the first chamber where the return empties the refugium? It has a large filter sock hanging in it which isn't ideal, but does reduce flow nicely into that chamber.

Will the light hitting the sock have any effect? I change it twice a week and clean anyway.... thoughts?

pic of sump for reference.. (flows left to right)..

vhuang168 · 05/31/2016, 08:30 AM

I would put the skimmer in the 1st section, level stays constant so it will perform more evenly. Can you add a baffle to seperate out the return?

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GOSKN5 · 05/31/2016, 08:35 AM

Can't move skimmer as it won't fit the with the sock hanger.. can't add a baffle either...at least not a glued in one etc..

DrPheel · 05/31/2016, 11:05 AM

I think your drain area will be a bit too much flow for a refugium to do its thing properly. Take the sump out and mod it properly. Refugiums are cool but volume is what is important, im not sure how big your DT is but any section of that sump will have little nutrient export properties compared to more LR or more current water changes. I do agree they are cool and great for algea and critter propagation but sometimes what you will get out of it outweighs the cost or space its using

Bagabaga · 05/31/2016, 11:15 AM

You could move your skimmer further right and do an overhead refugium. Have a pump push water into it and an overflow drain back into your last chamber. Could use any custom size as well that will fit that area. But like drpheel says it depends on your tank size and what export you need.

Horace · 05/31/2016, 12:14 PM

Sorry but i disagree with some statements above.

You would have no issues running the fuge in the first chamber. In fact some current sytems (Triton method specifically) suggests it be the first chamber and be HIGH flow. I agree that you should have your skimmer in a section that the water level does not change...so either add a baffle to achieve that, or find a way to fit your skimmer in the first chamber. Honestly your sump as configured today is very odd. You have a ton of wasted space in that first chamber.....

GOSKN5 · 05/31/2016, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the help.. I don't really see added water volume as wasted space... the water level doesn't change much with the ATO... would that small of a change really matter?

vhuang168 · 05/31/2016, 04:38 PM

Most ATOs take 1/2"-1" in water level to activate. That's enough to throw off a skimmer if it's oversized (like what the trend is). Also, 1" in water level in a 24x12 is a lot of water compared to a 6x12 so depending on how big the DT is, salinity could be affected.

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05/31/2016, 08:27 AM	#1
GOSKN5 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 686	Refugium in drain chamber?? I want to incorporate a refugium in my sump, for the benefits and because I think it's cool ... My sump is very simple, one drain into filter sock in first chamber, one baffle followed by skimmer and return pump in a shared chamber. Any reason I cannot make the first chamber where the return empties the refugium? It has a large filter sock hanging in it which isn't ideal, but does reduce flow nicely into that chamber. Will the light hitting the sock have any effect? I change it twice a week and clean anyway.... thoughts? pic of sump for reference.. (flows left to right)..

05/31/2016, 08:30 AM	#2
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	I would put the skimmer in the 1st section, level stays constant so it will perform more evenly. Can you add a baffle to seperate out the return? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

05/31/2016, 11:05 AM	#4
DrPheel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 161	I think your drain area will be a bit too much flow for a refugium to do its thing properly. Take the sump out and mod it properly. Refugiums are cool but volume is what is important, im not sure how big your DT is but any section of that sump will have little nutrient export properties compared to more LR or more current water changes. I do agree they are cool and great for algea and critter propagation but sometimes what you will get out of it outweighs the cost or space its using __________________ Dr's 70G Rimless Cube Build Thread : ==> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2511564 <==

05/31/2016, 12:14 PM	#6
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Sorry but i disagree with some statements above. You would have no issues running the fuge in the first chamber. In fact some current sytems (Triton method specifically) suggests it be the first chamber and be HIGH flow. I agree that you should have your skimmer in a section that the water level does not change...so either add a baffle to achieve that, or find a way to fit your skimmer in the first chamber. Honestly your sump as configured today is very odd. You have a ton of wasted space in that first chamber..... __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

05/31/2016, 04:38 PM	#8
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	Most ATOs take 1/2"-1" in water level to activate. That's enough to throw off a skimmer if it's oversized (like what the trend is). Also, 1" in water level in a 24x12 is a lot of water compared to a 6x12 so depending on how big the DT is, salinity could be affected. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

05/31/2016, 08:35 AM	#3
GOSKN5 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 686	Can't move skimmer as it won't fit the with the sock hanger.. can't add a baffle either...at least not a glued in one etc..

05/31/2016, 11:15 AM	#5
Bagabaga Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 517	You could move your skimmer further right and do an overhead refugium. Have a pump push water into it and an overflow drain back into your last chamber. Could use any custom size as well that will fit that area. But like drpheel says it depends on your tank size and what export you need.

05/31/2016, 12:35 PM	#7
GOSKN5 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 686	Thanks for the help.. I don't really see added water volume as wasted space... the water level doesn't change much with the ATO... would that small of a change really matter?