Undisturbed refugium dsb or not

[codyreed29]

New tank and I'm going with a refugium as well as filter pad stuff and carbon for filtration. I am going to go with mostly sps and mixed reef clams softie lps.

Tank is only 33 Gallons and a 10 gallon sump.

Would a dsp be more effeicent in removing nitrates. like 4 inches deep or more maybe 5 inches. I plan on cheato live sea plants mangroves.

Should i use live sand instead of just dry sand ?

Should i only put a couple inches?

I'm not going to run a skimmer as i don't want my phyto zooplanktons and coral foods being remove i want the being ingested.

[cloak]

For that size DT, I don't think a DSB in the footprint of a 10 gallon tank would do anything significant. Even less if you decide to use baffles in the sump and section off an area for the DSB. IMO, I think your best bet is to just go bare bottom with a few pieces of live rock and some cheato. It's real easy to keep clean, & you'll still get all the benefits the macro algae might provide. GL.

[codyreed29]

Well i have baffles but its only about 6 inches so about 14 x 10 area with alot of plants and cheato along with the filters ive been using there bio stuff. I guess i will just add some rubble and put alot of plants. I want this to be maintence free except for water changes from the top

[power boat jim]

Originally Posted by codyreed29

Well i have baffles but its only about 6 inches so about 14 x 10 area with alot of plants and cheato along with the filters ive been using there bio stuff. I guess i will just add some rubble and put alot of plants. I want this to be maintence free except for water changes from the top

You are planning a tank with sps, softies, clams and lps in 33 gallons of volume? The combination of animals you are attempting to keep together live in very different environments. You can keep some of them together but all in one in space that small is not something I would recommend. On top of all that you want it to be maintenance free.

Are you going to run a skimmer? that needs to be cleaned. sps will need the toxins removed from the water that some softies put out. That requires use of charcoal. Lights, glass and pumps all need cleaning regularly. Water chemistry needs to checked on occasion and you may need to dose. Thats all maintenance that needs to be done. If you are not planning on doing those things success might be hard to come by.

[codyreed29]

Well yeah i'm gonna clesn the tank a lot I just mean maintence free refugium. I'm gonna change out carbon charcoal filter media clean tank siphon glass equipment cleaning regularly.

the tank is shallow long wide I have a lot more space then a upright tank.

30 wide 22 front to back and 12 depth.

i'm gonna keep softies and leather on the sides were thell get light from t5

Sps clams anenomes in the center under mh250w

flow is also high in the center and low on the sides.

No skimmer haven't been using one and don't see a need for one I do lsrge water changes thought about 25 % weekly I feed but under what the bottle says I also am changing out filter media a lot about every 5-7 days. Which isn't to costly less then supplments and test kits all the time it's tough to keep up with testing and stuff with a 20l nano this is why i'm going to a 40 gallon total water system. I have a 100 gallon that's way off.
This is basically a frag tank for that i'm growing out as much as I can for that in a year or so down the road and to keep for frags later on.

the dsp and plants will work as I have a small bioload and will work for what ive got.

[power boat jim]

Originally Posted by codyreed29

Well yeah i'm gonna clesn the tank a lot I just mean maintence free refugium. I'm gonna change out carbon charcoal filter media clean tank siphon glass equipment cleaning regularly.

the tank is shallow long wide I have a lot more space then a upright tank.

30 wide 22 front to back and 12 depth.

i'm gonna keep softies and leather on the sides were thell get light from t5

Sps clams anenomes in the center under mh250w

flow is also high in the center and low on the sides.

No skimmer haven't been using one and don't see a need for one I do lsrge water changes thought about 25 % weekly I feed but under what the bottle says I also am changing out filter media a lot about every 5-7 days. Which isn't to costly less then supplments and test kits all the time it's tough to keep up with testing and stuff with a 20l nano this is why i'm going to a 40 gallon total water system. I have a 100 gallon that's way off.
This is basically a frag tank for that i'm growing out as much as I can for that in a year or so down the road and to keep for frags later on.

the dsp and plants will work as I have a small bioload and will work for what ive got.

Ok got ya thought you ment the the tank not the fuge. 25% WC a week is a good bit of water and should cure many potential ills. I am fan of skimming no matter how much water gets changed but that doesnt mean Im right. Sounds like you have a plan so I hope it works well for you.