switching from wet/dry to refugium setup

allanfranklin · 07/16/2007, 11:36 AM

Hey everyone,

I currently have a 70 gal tank with a wet/dry filtration system utilizing bio-balls. I've been reading a lot that a refugium is the way to go. Would it hurt my tank to knock out the bio-balls and replace with a refugium setup in one fail swoop? I do not have a lot of live rock, probably only around 30 lbs but my tank has been up and running for a year or so. I also have a skimmer setup as well.

I am sort of new to this so please let me know if I have it all wrong, I also would like to know what types of things you put in your refugiums.

Thanks a lot,
Allan

Bri Guy · 07/16/2007, 11:59 AM

To Reef Central

Good choice on the switch, but I wouldn't do it in one fail swoop, Id take some bio-balls out every week for a month, so Its a slow change, not a quick one.

Cheato is a good macro algae, it doesn't attach to rocks or go a-sexual.

Put the fuge on a reverse lighting schedule than the show tank, this will stabilize the pH some.

Good Luck!

allanfranklin · 07/16/2007, 04:37 PM

Should I introduce the macro algea and refugium as I take the bio-balls out? If so, what would you suggest is the best way to do it? I would need to build a new sump to incorporate the refugium but if I am not going to use bio-balls in the end I'd like to not build a space for them when there is no need.

Any links to refugium sump plans would be great as well.

Thanks for the help.

07/16/2007, 11:36 AM	#1
allanfranklin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 100	switching from wet/dry to refugium setup Hey everyone, I currently have a 70 gal tank with a wet/dry filtration system utilizing bio-balls. I've been reading a lot that a refugium is the way to go. Would it hurt my tank to knock out the bio-balls and replace with a refugium setup in one fail swoop? I do not have a lot of live rock, probably only around 30 lbs but my tank has been up and running for a year or so. I also have a skimmer setup as well. I am sort of new to this so please let me know if I have it all wrong, I also would like to know what types of things you put in your refugiums. Thanks a lot, Allan

07/16/2007, 11:59 AM	#2
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	*To Reef Central* Good choice on the switch, but I wouldn't do it in one fail swoop, Id take some bio-balls out every week for a month, so Its a slow change, not a quick one. Cheato is a good macro algae, it doesn't attach to rocks or go a-sexual. Put the fuge on a reverse lighting schedule than the show tank, this will stabilize the pH some. Good Luck! __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

07/16/2007, 04:37 PM	#3
allanfranklin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 100	Should I introduce the macro algea and refugium as I take the bio-balls out? If so, what would you suggest is the best way to do it? I would need to build a new sump to incorporate the refugium but if I am not going to use bio-balls in the end I'd like to not build a space for them when there is no need. Any links to refugium sump plans would be great as well. Thanks for the help.