Refugium Question

reice05 · 05/31/2010, 09:55 PM

I'm making a new sump and was going to make a chamber for my refugium and had a question for the cheato i plan on putting in there. I know the cheato needs a little flow so should I put a small powerhead in there or shoule the natural flow that is produced in the sump ok.

Sisterlimonpot · 05/31/2010, 10:16 PM

Hmm, that question has been asked and answered both ways, I find that it's not necessary to have an extra power head turning the chaeto, but I think it comes down to the strain of chaeto.

lordofthereef · 06/01/2010, 02:10 AM

Depends on how much flow you already have through it. Generally adding a pump is used to get the chaeto rolling. IME I have great chaeto growth and no die-off at all and have never had to keep it rolling to thrive.

veocool · 06/03/2010, 11:30 AM

personal choice imo

thegrun · 06/03/2010, 01:01 PM

I don't see the need for a pump if you're willing to flip the cheato over once or twice a week. It tends to grow into a shape that ends up getting stuck regardless, so either way you end up needing to manually flip it.

Chris Atkinson · 06/03/2010, 03:11 PM

I am pretty new to this. My chaeto is growing well, and it has pulled my nitrates down go zero. I use no powerhead. I just put my return pump discharge through a tee and divert a portion of the flow back into my chaeto chamber. Mine's a 75 gal DT with a 30 Gal sump running a 9.5 Magflow return pump.

I have no powerhead in there. I'm in that sump every 24 to 36 hours anyhow doing manual topoffs, checking/tending skimmer cup, changing filter sock, etc. So to me, it's no biggie to handle the chaeto, check it out, flip it a bit.

Good luck! Chris

05/31/2010, 09:55 PM	#1
reice05 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 341	Refugium Question I'm making a new sump and was going to make a chamber for my refugium and had a question for the cheato i plan on putting in there. I know the cheato needs a little flow so should I put a small powerhead in there or shoule the natural flow that is produced in the sump ok.

05/31/2010, 10:16 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Hmm, that question has been asked and answered both ways, I find that it's not necessary to have an extra power head turning the chaeto, but I think it comes down to the strain of chaeto. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

06/01/2010, 02:10 AM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Depends on how much flow you already have through it. Generally adding a pump is used to get the chaeto rolling. IME I have great chaeto growth and no die-off at all and have never had to keep it rolling to thrive. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

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06/03/2010, 11:30 AM	#4
veocool Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: ne jersey Posts: 88	personal choice imo

06/03/2010, 01:01 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I don't see the need for a pump if you're willing to flip the cheato over once or twice a week. It tends to grow into a shape that ends up getting stuck regardless, so either way you end up needing to manually flip it.

06/03/2010, 03:11 PM	#6
Chris Atkinson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mt. Zion, IL Posts: 185	I am pretty new to this. My chaeto is growing well, and it has pulled my nitrates down go zero. I use no powerhead. I just put my return pump discharge through a tee and divert a portion of the flow back into my chaeto chamber. Mine's a 75 gal DT with a 30 Gal sump running a 9.5 Magflow return pump. I have no powerhead in there. I'm in that sump every 24 to 36 hours anyhow doing manual topoffs, checking/tending skimmer cup, changing filter sock, etc. So to me, it's no biggie to handle the chaeto, check it out, flip it a bit. Good luck! Chris