Refugiums & Sumps

[JustKia]

As I'm thinking about turning my 125L tank into a nano reef (when I get my new tank for FW) do I need to look at a refugium and/or sump?
What would be the pro's and con's of either?
I'd be planning on keeping the overall set up reasonably small with live rock, some corals (soft, I think) a pair of (false?) clowns, firefish, watchman goby and fire shrimp, plus CUC. A few other fauna to be considered as this is very early stages - just really looking to see what I like then researching size, requirements etc, so open to change along the way.

 

[mixmaster jay]

you can get sumps with a fuge in them, but im not very clued up on these so sorry i couldn'd really help.

i will have a look for you and send you a link if you want

jay

 

[rabbut]

Sumps and Reforgiums can be the same thing, or two separate entities, depending on what you want to do. Both are very nice extras to have, but neither essential

You essentials (as you probably know already) are to remove the internal filter, and apply two or more powerheads to get 2500lph of flow, or more in the tank, preferably through "wide output propeller" type pumps (Koralias, Tnuze Nanostreams e.t.c). A 100 watt heater, some coral sand for substrate, water (about 100l after displacement) and 12KG of Live Rock come next

"Bolt on's" are then Skimmers, Reforgiums and sumps. Skimmers keep Nitrate, Phosphate and organics down by removing their causes. Reforgiums remove Nitrate, Phosphate and organics after they have formed. These need light, ideally 24 hours a day, or in reverse cycle to the tank to last. Sumps are just an extra tank beneath the main one in which equipment and other "bolt on's" can be hidden. They also increase system volume and hence stability

HTH
Rabbut

 

[BigC]

IMHO, and speaking from experience and many a long hour spent consulting Skifletch and Stealhealr. Employ a sump from the outset if you have the space for one. Get your tank drilled for the weir overflows and returns. There are many pluses to be gained from having one not least to mention a home for unsightly equipment.
Regards

 

[JustKia]

Thanks for the replies.
This one will be a slow project, so if it's worth having then I might as well spend that bit more time/money to do stuff like this before I get stuck into stocking the tank, rather than 6 months or so down the line and then wish I'd done it to begin with.

 

[BigC]

I might as well spend that bit more time/money to do stuff like this before I get stuck into stocking the tank, rather than 6 months or so down the line and then wish I'd done it to begin with.

Now that's what i like to hear.
ATB in your new project
Regards

 

[ben1987]

tanks look 100X better when most of the equipment is tucked away nice in a sump. Also gives you a lot more options.

 

[JustKia]

Any reccomendations on size of sump for 125L tank?
Looks like I'll be stopping off in DIY section in near future as I'll be converting this from a regular FW tank myself.

 

[rabbut]

Minimum size for a sump is 25% of the tank volume. If you want a more flexile sump, 50% of the tank volume is better. So, that's 32l minimum, 64l being preferable

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Truck]

do you have the roma 125? if you can pick up an old fluval uno 500 (the 50 litre one) it will fit nicely in your cabinet

 

[JoshH]

Don't go giving me ideas truck

Kia you can check out how ive converted my roma 125 to marine, click the link to my journal in sig

 

[JustKia]

Cheers for the ideas