should i put a refugium in my sump?

split4161 · 06/26/2008, 10:35 AM

im building a 20 gallon high sump i have right now a hob refugium. does a refugium really do that much for your water that it would suffer if not there? i have a skimmer going into the sump as well.

Brandon M · 06/26/2008, 10:40 AM

If you can fit it in, I would recommend it. There is really no reason not to. Your system will benefit greatly from it.

Sk8r · 06/26/2008, 10:45 AM

If you can get a skimmer about 1/3 your display volume you will notice a lot of really good bennies:
increased oxygen
no algae
backup sandbed in case of problems in the display
more water volume: slower rate of change in temp, salinity, etc.
microfauna for fishfood.
cleaner water over all.

jtma508 · 06/26/2008, 12:27 PM

+1 on the fuge. I strongly suggest splitting the flow into the sump and have the return section in the center. That way the fuge gets 'raw' nutrient-rich tank water (as opposed to pre-skimmed). Place a valve in the 'split' so you can dial-back the flow to the fuge section.

seatown76 · 06/26/2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brandon M
If you can fit it in, I would recommend it. There is really no reason not to. Your system will benefit greatly from it.

I totally agree. There are more benifits then drawbacks as long as you have the room and an already established refugium to install.

Jeff cousteau · 06/26/2008, 08:15 PM

I was going to add an external fuge to a sump (grav fed) but I might try and add it in sump to save room and time. return in the middle, good idea.

06/26/2008, 10:35 AM	#1
split4161 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: port saint lucie, FL Posts: 38	should i put a refugium in my sump? im building a 20 gallon high sump i have right now a hob refugium. does a refugium really do that much for your water that it would suffer if not there? i have a skimmer going into the sump as well.

06/26/2008, 10:40 AM	#2
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	If you can fit it in, I would recommend it. There is really no reason not to. Your system will benefit greatly from it. __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

06/26/2008, 10:45 AM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you can get a skimmer about 1/3 your display volume you will notice a lot of really good bennies: increased oxygen no algae backup sandbed in case of problems in the display more water volume: slower rate of change in temp, salinity, etc. microfauna for fishfood. cleaner water over all. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/26/2008, 12:27 PM	#4
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	+1 on the fuge. I strongly suggest splitting the flow into the sump and have the return section in the center. That way the fuge gets 'raw' nutrient-rich tank water (as opposed to pre-skimmed). Place a valve in the 'split' so you can dial-back the flow to the fuge section.

06/26/2008, 08:15 PM	#6
Jeff cousteau Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Truro,Nova Scotia,Canada Posts: 232	I was going to add an external fuge to a sump (grav fed) but I might try and add it in sump to save room and time. return in the middle, good idea.