Refugiums

[ALW]

I have been think for a while now that I would like to add a sump/refugium to my tank. I only have room for somthing in the region of 35cm X 35cm X 45cm max. Do you think it is doable? I have come up with a quick diagram of what I think it should look like, can I have your opinions please? The tank isnt drilled so flow would come via an overflow box/pipe and returned via a pump. Would 200lph be too slow a turnover for a refug? Would I be better using Miracal Mud or just more Live Sand? Your help is much appreciated.

 

[Morri]

Yes it would work I would loose the baffle to the furthest right you dont want your flow directly over the MM else it will stir it all up

MM is better than a DSB imo a DSB needs to be at least 6" deep if not more and needs a lot of surface area to work

Overflow boxes are risky have you got room for a Hob MM filter they are less risky

 

[ALW]

Yes it would work I would loose the baffle to the furthest right you dont want your flow directly over the MM else it will stir it all up

MM is better than a DSB imo a DSB needs to be at least 6" deep if not more and needs a lot of surface area to work

Overflow boxes are risky have you got room for a Hob MM filter they are less risky

Thanks Morri, was just a quick example so yeh the last baffle can be removed. I only have arround 3-4inch max behind the tank so anything would have to fit in the gap. I was leaning more towards the Miracle Mud tbh.

 

[ALW]

What lights would I need for the Refugium?

 

[Uriel]

none unless your running cheato in which case a standard energy saving bulb is fine.

 

[Morri]

I run a 11w tropical arcadia pod trop light is better as they are closer to 6k5 which is best for algae growth

 

[ALW]

Is 200lph to slow for a refugium or is it too fast?

 

[Morri]

you need to be looking at 10x times tank volume through sump as a rough guide

 

[ALW]

Wow ok thanks Morri that about 2500lph er 200lph was way off.

 

[Morri]

I run around 3500lph on my 450 works well so slightly under

 

[ALW]

Thanks again Morri. Also should the baffles all be the same size or should they be different? Eg. 1st 10cm 2nd 20cm and 3rd 15cm

 

[Morri]

Same size is fine they are just there to remove any bubbles

 

[ALW]

How do i get my tank to drain quick enough so that the return pump doesnt empty the refug and overflow the main system?

 

[Morri]

make sure you buy the correct overflow box or drill the correct size hole for your drain pipe

 

[ALW]

Oh ok i was thinking of building my own overflow box. How big would it need to be for a 60g tank? Could i just use two pumps one to empty and one to return?