Refugium of wet dry ??

[CEB125]

Is a refugium better than a wet/dry with bio balls?
I am getting ready to start a new tank build and was just wanting some feedback

[jon99]

From what I read wet/dry and bo balls are prone to becomeing nitrate factories and causing problems. A fuge is by far the better way to go.

[nuch]

I switched from bio balls to a fuge about 2 months ago. The only reason i switched was because i had extra tanks and time (i was bored) to switch. I ran bio balls for about 7 months with my 170 gallon DT with 7 fish and some lps corals with no problems. I have'nt seen benifits from the 2 but remember it was only 7 months. Another reason was i wanted to go bigger sump and a seperate tank for the refugium.

[CEB125]

I have a wet dry running on my current tank and im getting some junk in the bottom wondering if a refugium will stop that and maybe a better skimmer

[James77]

There will always be detritus that settles in tanks thats needs to be vac'd out. Some run filter socks to catch it, but they need regualr and frequent changing.

[jdm01]

I would avoid the wet/dry with bioballs. I ran that and it is a nitrate factory and it is a long process to remove the bioballs without causing another tank cycle. I run a sump with an in sump skimmer (Eshopps sump with Vertex skimmer in one tank and same sump with ASM Mini-G in the other). I also use the poly/felt filter socks on the drain. Right now they have to be changed every 1-2 days. It is getting better the more junk I get out of the tank. The mesh socks do not work as well. The socks keep the junk off of the bottom of your sump.

[bruce 1]

What is the difference in Bio Balls and Live Rock in there? Looks like both would leave build up..??

Would like to know also.

[CEB125]

So i need live rock in the refugium?

[Icedtc]

Originally Posted by CEB125

So i need live rock in the refugium?

You definately don't need live rock. Personally I just put in my left over rock rubble because I thought it was better than throwing it away. Plus if you end up putting copepods in your refugium then they have ever more places to hang out.

The typical setups I see is a little sand and your choice of algae. Chaeto probably being the most common.

[WillM]

Originally Posted by bruce 1

What is the difference in Bio Balls and Live Rock in there? Looks like both would leave build up..??

Would like to know also.

Bio-balls don't do anything for the last step of nitrification: Nitrate to Nitrogen Gas. In a FW tank that is fine, I do 50%+ weekly water changes on my highly stocked FW tanks (water and Prime is cheap) which exports the nitrates and dilutes what it doesn't export to manageable levels. In a SW tank of any size it's not economical to do large water changes, also corals are much more sensitive to nitrates than fish are. The LR has anaerobic bacteria that live deep in the rock that are able to do the last step from nitrate to nitrogen gas. From what I understand you shouldn’t pack your refugium with too much LR rubble because it will trap detritus and cause the same issues as bio-balls, but some rubble and larger pieces are fine. You can also use a deep sand bed to help with nitrification if you are feeding a lot or still getting measurable nitrate. Also, to export nitrates an algae turf scrubber is great, too.

[CEB125]

Well i ordered a 48" sump with three compartments 48x24x16 from where i am getting my tank.. now i can make that off my list!