Sump to Refuge ???

Slingshot · 03/10/2007, 09:41 PM

Hello All,
I will be replacing my sump with a Refugium tomorrow. I'm planning to use appx. 1' of sand, L/R, and some algae. I'm not sure which Algae will work best. What are the benefits and drawbacks to the different types of algae? I saw some nice L/R with algae covering about half of it at one of the LF stores the other day. I was talking to another store patron and he stated that some of the algae releases phosphates back into the water after you trim it. Is this true?
Any comments or suggestions will be very much appreciated...

Thank You,
Dave

clevername · 03/11/2007, 12:37 AM

There is literally no possible way to replace a sump with a fuge.

Look up your terms.

Also 1inch sand bed will only get you bacteria to convert to nitrates. A DSB will complete the bacteria process to nitrogen. (4 - 6 inches)

clevername · 03/11/2007, 12:45 AM

For what its worth i just put in a fuge 4 hours ago....long night. Had to re plumb EVERYTHING!

Tomorrow im going by the store to buy some maco algae. I have heard that different kinds of algae are the best. DONT over pack the algae in the fuge. As it grows, you need to trim it to export the (bad) nuritants. The algae itself does not get rid or export the (bad stuff) itself. Its like a sponge and needs to be trimmed/thrown away.

clevername · 03/11/2007, 12:47 AM

PS, i heard cuplra is not the best for a fige, its more of a plant and not an algae..

Slingshot · 03/11/2007, 07:09 PM

Didn't get a chance to convert today, woke up sick. What I am changing (converting) is my AGA model 3 sump to a bigger sump w/o bio-balls and foam. I want a more natural filtration system to reduce nitrates and phosphates but, I'm not sure which algae will work best.

waterman78 · 03/12/2007, 11:32 AM

Slingshot:

My suggestion to you is to try chaetomorpha. All it requires is a gentle flow and light...this macroalgae will grow within a couple of weeks. I converted a CPR CR-50 into a refugium - dead pipe organ and chaetomorpha with plenty of pods (amphipods, copepods and isopods). Also clevername2000 has a good point about the sandbed. I would say start with the 1" and slowy increase the sand bed depth to 3" - 4". Get well and have fun with your refugium project.

03/10/2007, 09:41 PM	#1
Slingshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County NY Posts: 73	Sump to Refuge ??? Hello All, I will be replacing my sump with a Refugium tomorrow. I'm planning to use appx. 1' of sand, L/R, and some algae. I'm not sure which Algae will work best. What are the benefits and drawbacks to the different types of algae? I saw some nice L/R with algae covering about half of it at one of the LF stores the other day. I was talking to another store patron and he stated that some of the algae releases phosphates back into the water after you trim it. Is this true? Any comments or suggestions will be very much appreciated... Thank You, Dave

03/11/2007, 12:37 AM	#2
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	There is literally no possible way to replace a sump with a fuge. Look up your terms. Also 1inch sand bed will only get you bacteria to convert to nitrates. A DSB will complete the bacteria process to nitrogen. (4 - 6 inches) __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

03/11/2007, 12:45 AM	#3
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	For what its worth i just put in a fuge 4 hours ago....long night. Had to re plumb EVERYTHING! Tomorrow im going by the store to buy some maco algae. I have heard that different kinds of algae are the best. DONT over pack the algae in the fuge. As it grows, you need to trim it to export the (bad) nuritants. The algae itself does not get rid or export the (bad stuff) itself. Its like a sponge and needs to be trimmed/thrown away. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

03/11/2007, 12:47 AM	#4
clevername Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Manchester, MO Posts: 1,125	PS, i heard cuplra is not the best for a fige, its more of a plant and not an algae.. __________________ In process: 210gal, VARIOS-8 return, Kessil Lights, 80 gal sump, mp60's, and REGAL 200EXT 8" RECIRCULATING skimmer

03/12/2007, 11:32 AM	#6
waterman78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Van Nuys, CA Posts: 1,337	Slingshot: My suggestion to you is to try chaetomorpha. All it requires is a gentle flow and light...this macroalgae will grow within a couple of weeks. I converted a CPR CR-50 into a refugium - dead pipe organ and chaetomorpha with plenty of pods (amphipods, copepods and isopods). Also clevername2000 has a good point about the sandbed. I would say start with the 1" and slowy increase the sand bed depth to 3" - 4". Get well and have fun with your refugium project. __________________ I am truly grateful to receive any useful information about this hobby each day... :idea: Current Tank Info: Reef: 40g breeder with a Aquamaxx HOB skimmer, 250w MH pendant and a 1/10hp chiller.

03/11/2007, 07:09 PM	#5
Slingshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County NY Posts: 73	Didn't get a chance to convert today, woke up sick. What I am changing (converting) is my AGA model 3 sump to a bigger sump w/o bio-balls and foam. I want a more natural filtration system to reduce nitrates and phosphates but, I'm not sure which algae will work best.