Refugium/Sump...Tell me if I'm wrong.

ProHaloSniper · 03/18/2008, 10:00 PM

Ok, here's my idea of a refugium/sump/overflow. PLEASE tear me apart and correct me if I'm wrong.

I will have a 180 Gallon Tank. I have a hanging overflow box that takes excess water down into my sump, which then returns through a Power Head. Does a Refugium serve the same purpose as an overflow, or would it do both jobs on a smaller scale?

I need to know before I proceed. Do I purchase a refugium AND overflow box, or just one.

Help!

--Jim C.

seanb1 · 03/18/2008, 10:14 PM

no they are two different peices of equipment.

refugium usually goes underneath the tank in the stand, you put cheato or other microalgae and possibly sand/rock, used to remove nitrate and other uses you can search to figure it out.

overflow goes on back of tank allowing water to run to your sump from the main tank.

refugiums and sump can be all in one though.

migston · 03/18/2008, 10:17 PM

You'll need something more powerful than a powerhead for your return pump especially for a 180g. Something around 2000gph should be the ballpark to aim for I believe.

A refugium is just a place to grow pods and macroalgae. As long as you have an area with slow flowing water and strong lighting that's not part of your display, it will act as a refugium. So no, an overflow box would not be ideal. You could section off part of your sump to act as a fuge though.

03/18/2008, 10:00 PM	#1
ProHaloSniper Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 121	Refugium/Sump...Tell me if I'm wrong. Ok, here's my idea of a refugium/sump/overflow. PLEASE tear me apart and correct me if I'm wrong. I will have a 180 Gallon Tank. I have a hanging overflow box that takes excess water down into my sump, which then returns through a Power Head. Does a Refugium serve the same purpose as an overflow, or would it do both jobs on a smaller scale? I need to know before I proceed. Do I purchase a refugium AND overflow box, or just one. Help! --Jim C. __________________ "You may think you know it all, but the truth is, you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: 6 Gallon Nano-Reef, 10 Gallon FOWLR, Planning a 75 Gallon Reef

03/18/2008, 10:14 PM	#2
seanb1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: bettendorf, iowa Posts: 668	no they are two different peices of equipment. refugium usually goes underneath the tank in the stand, you put cheato or other microalgae and possibly sand/rock, used to remove nitrate and other uses you can search to figure it out. overflow goes on back of tank allowing water to run to your sump from the main tank. refugiums and sump can be all in one though. __________________ he who knows how, will always work for he who knows why..... David lee Roth. Current Tank Info: 125 reef/29 gal sump/29 gal fuge 3- 175w 20k xm mh/4 65w actinic, octopus nw-200 skimmer3 k-4s mag-12. 2 returns. 2 phosban reactors, GFO/carbon.

03/18/2008, 10:17 PM	#3
migston Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	You'll need something more powerful than a powerhead for your return pump especially for a 180g. Something around 2000gph should be the ballpark to aim for I believe. A refugium is just a place to grow pods and macroalgae. As long as you have an area with slow flowing water and strong lighting that's not part of your display, it will act as a refugium. So no, an overflow box would not be ideal. You could section off part of your sump to act as a fuge though. __________________ Migs Current Tank Info: 12g Aquapod, 70w MH Sunpod, Nano Remora