converting wet/dry to refugium

jshidele · 09/04/2006, 09:43 PM

Hi there. I have a Pro Clear Aquatics wet/dry system under my 55 gal and was thinking about either growing macro algae in the wet side or taking out the bio balls and converting it to a refugium. I've heard of a couple people doing this but I was wanting some advice. I have about 50 lbs. of live rock and a 3-4" sand bed in the display tank. If I take out the bioballs do I run the risk of a bad ammonia spike because I don't have adequate filtration?
The other thing I was thinking about doing is just putting some chaeto in the wet side sectioned off by some egg crate so it doesn't get sucked into the skimmer or return pump. This seems like it would be the easiest way but I think the idea of a refugium with sand or mud and beneficial creatures would be a cool addition to my system. I'm pretty new to the hobby so any input would be really appreciated.

drummereef · 09/04/2006, 10:35 PM

I think you could do it, barring the flow isn't too much for a refugium. If you do end up removing the bio-balls take it slow. Like a quarter of them per week or less. I did this on my tank and everythig was fine. Let the live rock/dsb catch up. I would probably add some more rock to help with the filtration though.

jshidele · 09/04/2006, 10:41 PM

Thanks for the reply. The other thing I was thinking about doing is using a cheap 5 or 10 gallon tank (if it'll fit) as a fuge after the wet/dry, but I'm not sure how the plumbing would work then. Would I have to get another pump to go from the wet/dry to the refugium and then use the pump I have now as the return from the refugium to main tank? I guess this system would be preferable so I don't run the risk of not having enoug bio filtration, but I'm not sure if the plumbing would work out. I'm pretty plumbing challenged. I'd also like to avoid purchasing another pump if possible.

drummereef · 09/04/2006, 10:44 PM

Mmm... might have to consult the pros on this one. Seems like it would work in theory, but I don't want you to have 55 gallons of seawater on your floor either. good luck!

09/04/2006, 09:43 PM	#1
jshidele Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: lafayette, indiana Posts: 8	converting wet/dry to refugium Hi there. I have a Pro Clear Aquatics wet/dry system under my 55 gal and was thinking about either growing macro algae in the wet side or taking out the bio balls and converting it to a refugium. I've heard of a couple people doing this but I was wanting some advice. I have about 50 lbs. of live rock and a 3-4" sand bed in the display tank. If I take out the bioballs do I run the risk of a bad ammonia spike because I don't have adequate filtration? The other thing I was thinking about doing is just putting some chaeto in the wet side sectioned off by some egg crate so it doesn't get sucked into the skimmer or return pump. This seems like it would be the easiest way but I think the idea of a refugium with sand or mud and beneficial creatures would be a cool addition to my system. I'm pretty new to the hobby so any input would be really appreciated.

09/04/2006, 10:35 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I think you could do it, barring the flow isn't too much for a refugium. If you do end up removing the bio-balls take it slow. Like a quarter of them per week or less. I did this on my tank and everythig was fine. Let the live rock/dsb catch up. I would probably add some more rock to help with the filtration though.

09/04/2006, 10:41 PM	#3
jshidele Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: lafayette, indiana Posts: 8	Thanks for the reply. The other thing I was thinking about doing is using a cheap 5 or 10 gallon tank (if it'll fit) as a fuge after the wet/dry, but I'm not sure how the plumbing would work then. Would I have to get another pump to go from the wet/dry to the refugium and then use the pump I have now as the return from the refugium to main tank? I guess this system would be preferable so I don't run the risk of not having enoug bio filtration, but I'm not sure if the plumbing would work out. I'm pretty plumbing challenged. I'd also like to avoid purchasing another pump if possible.

09/04/2006, 10:44 PM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Mmm... might have to consult the pros on this one. Seems like it would work in theory, but I don't want you to have 55 gallons of seawater on your floor either. good luck!