Refugium question

kg221 · 03/29/2011, 05:58 PM

What is a good refugium to use for a 90 gallon tank. I have an ADHI 20 refugium right now but it cant fit a good enough protein skimmer and just isnt doing the trick for my tank at the moment. I need some really good advice on a better protein skimmer/refugium combo for my 90 gallon reef tank.

Kyle

kg221 · 03/29/2011, 06:06 PM

what about this refugium: http://www.aquacave.com/eshopps-refu...tion-3174.html

and this protein skimmer: http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-3147.html

kg221 · 03/30/2011, 10:54 AM

I need some help with recommendations. I am at the point right now where I don't know what to do with my tank and trying to keep it clean because I can now tell that I under estimated what I needed for a sump and protein skimmer so I need to upgrade badly.

Alysiak00 · 03/30/2011, 12:37 PM

personally id just find another tank and plumb it in. Find a used one (as big as you can use) and just make it a two chamber with a 3rd for your return. Use one area for rocks and the other with sand and cheato and calurpa. All you'd need is a cheap clip light from home depot and your done. That fuge itself is 320 dollars. You can build a fuge to fit what you need for probly 1/3 of that.

kg221 · 03/30/2011, 01:01 PM

I cant picture your description. Do you have any pics or anything to help me picture this idea? Right now i have a 3 chamber refugium where the water enters in the first chamber i have a protein skimmer. the water flows over into the refugium where i have rocks and cheato and sand and then it flows over into the return chamber.

vitodog · 03/30/2011, 02:26 PM

It sounds like you have the same problem I had. I also have a 90 gal. tank and had to up-grade both skimmer and refugium. The skimmer upgrade I got required a more powerful pump (down draft skimmer) and this new set-up would not fit in my existing refugium. So, I had to get a larger refugium. I eventually settled for the A.E. Technology "Sump Buddy 40" both the skimmer and refugium are around the same price you mentioned. I'm happy with both skimmer and refugium. Gary, at AE Tech. is also very helpful. However, Alysia00 makes a good point and if your fairly handy, you could probably save $300.00 + on the refugium. Good luck

jeff@zina.com · 03/30/2011, 03:10 PM

Start at Melev's Reef and start pricing out skimmers in the 200 gallon range. You might also want to tell us why you think a new skimmer and sump are the solution to whatever problem you think you're having.

Jeff

Jeff

kg221 · 03/30/2011, 04:45 PM

I can never get my water clear, it always has particles in it. The water in my refugium moves really fast through it and it creates a lot of bubbles when it drains down into the first chamber because the chamber can't handle the flow that is coming down from the tank.

rbredding · 03/30/2011, 04:51 PM

it's not a refugium then... if water moves fast through it.. it's just a chamber with stuff in it..

and as far as particulates in your water.. start using filter socks and that will help dramatically...

oh..
and slow down the flow through your sump... it doesnt' need to be fast..

03/29/2011, 05:58 PM	#1
kg221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 175	Refugium question What is a good refugium to use for a 90 gallon tank. I have an ADHI 20 refugium right now but it cant fit a good enough protein skimmer and just isnt doing the trick for my tank at the moment. I need some really good advice on a better protein skimmer/refugium combo for my 90 gallon reef tank. Kyle

03/30/2011, 12:37 PM	#4
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	personally id just find another tank and plumb it in. Find a used one (as big as you can use) and just make it a two chamber with a 3rd for your return. Use one area for rocks and the other with sand and cheato and calurpa. All you'd need is a cheap clip light from home depot and your done. That fuge itself is 320 dollars. You can build a fuge to fit what you need for probly 1/3 of that. __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

03/30/2011, 04:51 PM	#9
rbredding I HEART BUILD THREADS!!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 337	it's not a refugium then... if water moves fast through it.. it's just a chamber with stuff in it.. and as far as particulates in your water.. start using filter socks and that will help dramatically... oh.. and slow down the flow through your sump... it doesnt' need to be fast.. __________________ There are no stupid questions... especially when I ask them.. Current Tank Info: 90gal Reef & 30L Dwarf Fish Only

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03/29/2011, 06:06 PM	#2
kg221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 175	what about this refugium: http://www.aquacave.com/eshopps-refu...tion-3174.html and this protein skimmer: http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus...lvue-3147.html

03/30/2011, 10:54 AM	#3
kg221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 175	I need some help with recommendations. I am at the point right now where I don't know what to do with my tank and trying to keep it clean because I can now tell that I under estimated what I needed for a sump and protein skimmer so I need to upgrade badly.

03/30/2011, 01:01 PM	#5
kg221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 175	I cant picture your description. Do you have any pics or anything to help me picture this idea? Right now i have a 3 chamber refugium where the water enters in the first chamber i have a protein skimmer. the water flows over into the refugium where i have rocks and cheato and sand and then it flows over into the return chamber.

03/30/2011, 02:26 PM	#6
vitodog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 1,226	It sounds like you have the same problem I had. I also have a 90 gal. tank and had to up-grade both skimmer and refugium. The skimmer upgrade I got required a more powerful pump (down draft skimmer) and this new set-up would not fit in my existing refugium. So, I had to get a larger refugium. I eventually settled for the A.E. Technology "Sump Buddy 40" both the skimmer and refugium are around the same price you mentioned. I'm happy with both skimmer and refugium. Gary, at AE Tech. is also very helpful. However, Alysia00 makes a good point and if your fairly handy, you could probably save $300.00 + on the refugium. Good luck

03/30/2011, 03:10 PM	#7
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Start at Melev's Reef and start pricing out skimmers in the 200 gallon range. You might also want to tell us why you think a new skimmer and sump are the solution to whatever problem you think you're having. Jeff Jeff

03/30/2011, 04:45 PM	#8
kg221 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 175	I can never get my water clear, it always has particles in it. The water in my refugium moves really fast through it and it creates a lot of bubbles when it drains down into the first chamber because the chamber can't handle the flow that is coming down from the tank.