Refugium critter massacre

mmbuna · 10/04/2005, 03:55 AM

Hi all,

I am considering a refugium in my sump design, but I need to resolve a few issues.

A refugium supposedly will give shelter to a wide variety of 'critters' and give them a safe, quiet place to live and multipy, in order to 'feed' the main tank with valuable food and 'working organisms'

I have planned for a New-Jet 3000 pushing water back up to the main tank, which is an impeller pump (pretty much like the old Maxi-Jets).

Now, what I fear, is that all that lives in the refugium, will need to go through that impeller and probably will be pulverized before it hits the tank. Is that so? What can I do to preserve all that the refugium will give me in this aspect?

I evaluated an over-tank sump/ref, but it's not possible with my space/setup and I would rather not dish out another $200 for a different pump.

Kelmen · 10/04/2005, 04:16 AM

Use gravity feed, put your refugium above your main tank.

danferd2002 · 10/04/2005, 04:25 AM

try a hob type

fishman805 · 10/04/2005, 04:31 AM

Your pods are small enough that they will pass right through the pump with little to no ill effects.... It's been done this way forever......And if you're worried about anything else getting through, put a screen over the intake of the pump....

Bob

mmbuna · 10/04/2005, 05:18 AM

Thanks for the replies...

Kelmen over-the-tank ref, is NOT an option as I don't have space.

danferd2002 HOB ref? Interesting idea, please explain!?

fishman805 thanks. I am not worried about un-invited guests in the tank, just about the pods being crushed by the pump... You say it's cool, I say, I like

davidryder · 10/04/2005, 06:24 AM

yeah the pods are food for fish and the pump is how they get up there. and in a lot of cases your pods will start to colonize in your display tank... good luck!

danferd2002 · 10/05/2005, 04:28 AM

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_....asp?ast=&key=

davidryder · 04/14/2007, 11:20 PM

I think Anthony Calfo said "Worrying about pods going through your pump is like worrying about a fly going through a revolving door."

I don't completely subscribe to that, but it gets the point across.

mcurl98 · 04/15/2007, 12:56 AM

agree. no way pumps kill pods.

Ursus · 04/15/2007, 01:03 AM

I honestly doubt copepods are going to be harmed in anyway by a pumps impeller. If they can hold onto glass with a 2600 gph pump blasting them, I think they can handle the suction from a return pump and will just crawl up your return line. Amphipods could possibly get hit, but I've sent plenty through my return and watched them scurry away unscathed.

10/04/2005, 03:55 AM	#1
mmbuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Greece Posts: 58	Refugium critter massacre Hi all, I am considering a refugium in my sump design, but I need to resolve a few issues. A refugium supposedly will give shelter to a wide variety of 'critters' and give them a safe, quiet place to live and multipy, in order to 'feed' the main tank with valuable food and 'working organisms' I have planned for a New-Jet 3000 pushing water back up to the main tank, which is an impeller pump (pretty much like the old Maxi-Jets). Now, what I fear, is that all that lives in the refugium, will need to go through that impeller and probably will be pulverized before it hits the tank. Is that so? What can I do to preserve all that the refugium will give me in this aspect? I evaluated an over-tank sump/ref, but it's not possible with my space/setup and I would rather not dish out another $200 for a different pump.

10/04/2005, 06:24 AM	#6
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	yeah the pods are food for fish and the pump is how they get up there. and in a lot of cases your pods will start to colonize in your display tank... good luck! __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

04/14/2007, 11:20 PM	#8
davidryder Claris or Elliot? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nightopia Posts: 2,750	I think Anthony Calfo said "Worrying about pods going through your pump is like worrying about a fly going through a revolving door." I don't completely subscribe to that, but it gets the point across. __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss... Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, corner overflow (Mag 9.5), 25g refugium (Mag 5), 15g refugium, Orbit 260w pc, Pan World 50PX-X (Closed loop), AquaC EV-120 (now skimmerless)

04/15/2007, 12:56 AM	#9
mcurl98 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 615	agree. no way pumps kill pods. __________________ -Matt Current Tank Info: tankless

10/04/2005, 04:16 AM	#2
Kelmen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Malaysia Posts: 467	Use gravity feed, put your refugium above your main tank.

10/04/2005, 04:25 AM	#3
danferd2002 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 882	try a hob type

10/04/2005, 04:31 AM	#4
fishman805 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Middle Georgia area Posts: 2,189	Your pods are small enough that they will pass right through the pump with little to no ill effects.... It's been done this way forever......And if you're worried about anything else getting through, put a screen over the intake of the pump.... Bob

10/04/2005, 05:18 AM	#5
mmbuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Greece Posts: 58	Thanks for the replies... Kelmen over-the-tank ref, is NOT an option as I don't have space. danferd2002 HOB ref? Interesting idea, please explain!? fishman805 thanks. I am not worried about un-invited guests in the tank, just about the pods being crushed by the pump... You say it's cool, I say, I like

10/05/2005, 04:28 AM	#7
danferd2002 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 882	http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_....asp?ast=&key=

04/15/2007, 01:03 AM	#10
Ursus Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 480	I honestly doubt copepods are going to be harmed in anyway by a pumps impeller. If they can hold onto glass with a 2600 gph pump blasting them, I think they can handle the suction from a return pump and will just crawl up your return line. Amphipods could possibly get hit, but I've sent plenty through my return and watched them scurry away unscathed.