55 gallon display refugium

[Samsquanch]

Howdy y'all

I'm setting up a 55 gallon display refugium for my 125 reef. It's going to have a 5" - 6" sand bed with minimal rock rock with the tank primary being dominated by sea grass and macro algae.

I've been having a hard time deciding on what live stock to put in there. Originally I was planning to put sea horses in there but after doing some reading it's best to kept in cooler water than what's in my reef.

I've thought from garden eels or putting a mantis shrimp or a big hermit crab in there, but im now wondering about putting a school of pipe fish in there.

Im not worried about pods, I have a refugium in my sump and my tank is already exploding with pods. The display refugium is for nutrient export.

It's powered with a 550 gph pump with 2 adjustable powerheads, the plan is have more of a wave flow in there vs the turbulent reef.

What do you guys think about pipe fish or if I should do something different. If pipe fish, how many would be happy together. Should I change anything with the build to better accommodate them?

Inspirational pictures im going for

 

[zacoff]

beautiful and inspiring! good work!

 

[sp1187]

don't know about pipefish. I'd go anglerfish.

 

[Samsquanch]

beautiful and inspiring! good work!

Thank you

 

[Samsquanch]

don't know about pipefish. I'd go anglerfish.

Those are cool I didn't consider them

 

[LuisPerez711]

Nice! Following along as I am in the process of setting up a seagrass fuge as well. Mine is a measly 10 gallons but you have to start somewhere haha

Where will you be sourcing your seagrass? What types will you be keeping? What light are you planning to use?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

what kind of a sump size are you working with?

are both returns to the same sump ? with separate return pumps for each display?

 

[LuisPerez711]

It's a humble little 10 gallon petco tank. I couldn't fit anything bigger. If this goes well I'm thinking of building a custom sump that includes a large refugium section for the main filtration.

It is fed by the return pump to my main tank and it empties into the same sump. One system.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

that's a good idea and looks good great looking reef tank also! i was wanting to have a similar set up with a display fuge next to my d.t exactly like the ref. pictures you put up! those examples are perfect for inspiration!

ive just had a hard time figuring out how to plumb both together, or if it would even be worth it for my situation, and just keep them separate. im curious how this goes for you, i hope you can give a few tips and updates for us later on

 

[Samsquanch]

what kind of a sump size are you working with?

are both returns to the same sump ? with separate return pumps for each display?

I use the Trigger system CR-44

Sapphire Sump CR44

Why does BRS recommend this? Trigger systems has been making sumps for quite some time now and they have won us over with their attention to detail, practical designs and overall aesthetic appeal. With the ability to modify the sump to your needs with adjustable water levels, interchangeable...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Both the 125 and 55 drain into it. I have a 568gph Sicce pump in the first compartment next to my skimmer for the fuge return, the drains run into the next compartment.

 

[Waterponies]

Where are you getting the seagrass from?
I'm looking for some to replenish my 40 gallon lagoon but the usual online stores are out of stock.
My sand bed is 4-6" deep and about 5 years old (well established). I had shoal, manatee and turtle grass all doing very well until that arctic storm hit Texas last February.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Where are you getting the seagrass from?
I'm looking for some to replenish my 40 gallon lagoon but the usual online stores are out of stock.
My sand bed is 4-6" deep and about 5 years old (well established). I had shoal, manatee and turtle grass all doing very well until that arctic storm hit Texas last February.

Your in Texas, the sea grasses are south in the gulf