Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Katrina71]

I'm going to play with a couple of island rocks for sure.

 

[Katrina71]

@fabutahoun it is locally for me too

 

[Katrina71]

The sump for this is a standard tank (I think) with glass dividers. I'd like to do a separate 5gallon fuge. The sump has a black rim, so I want the fuge to kinda match.

 

[Katrina71]

The previous owner had a separate fuge at one time. I'm betting it wasn't successful because the skimmer is so large it starved the macro. I will probably scale that skimmer down.

 

[Katrina71]

I might have to use a 2.5 gallon fuge so I can fit an ATO reservoir in there. Either way, I'd like it all to match and be easily accessible.

 

[Katrina71]

I plan on lighting my sump and resevior too.

 

[Katrina71]

Ideally, I'd like to have an AWC. Not to replace regular maintenance though.

 

[Katrina71]

Can I still use chemipure blue in my sump?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I might have to use a 2.5 gallon fuge so I can fit an ATO reservoir in there. Either way, I'd like it all to match and be easily accessible.

I think the ATO reservoir should be as big as possible. Maybe have 1-1.5 gallons of evaporation a day.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm trying to streamline some aspects that I buy in bulk for the hippie kid's tank.

 

[Katrina71]

I was thinking about a 10 gallon tank for my reservoir. With a glass top.

 

[Rakie]

I might have to use a 2.5 gallon fuge so I can fit an ATO reservoir in there. Either way, I'd like it all to match and be easily accessible.

You're putting the cart way before the horse. A fuge is something you won't need for a long, long time, and in my experience it does way more harm than good. Everybody I've convinced to ditch their chaeto has admitted their tanks have never looked better.

Nutrients are pretty much the only thing I don't believe is up to interpretation or debate. Lowering nutrients = bad. Most people should be dosing them higher.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I was thinking about a 10 gallon tank for my reservoir. With a glass top.

That should last a week at least. Good. I do not know your space constrains, but how are you considering the refugium? How stand alone is it?

 

[Katrina71]

I'd ditch the skimmer before the fuge. Sorry if you just screamed Rakie.

 

[Katrina71]

I have a fuge now, so does Andrew. Our nitrates are a steady 10.

 

[Katrina71]

I think natural consumption is a better option than mechanical stripping. Jmo.

 

[Katrina71]

@najer do you have a skimmer?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I'd ditch the skimmer before the fuge. Sorry if you just screamed Rakie.

Ha! Go get him tiger. I agree.

 

[Katrina71]

Calm down Rakie. :)

 

[NY_Caveman]

There are benefits to refugiums beyond nutrient removal. A skimmer does provide important gas exchange in my small system.