New refugium setup

[Jrod381]

Hello all I am considering to build a separate refugium alongside my sump. I’m considering to go with a 5 gal or 10 gal aquarium. The question I have is should the feed line to the refugium come from the return line of the skimmer? Or should it be taken from the overflow feed to the sump? I read where it should come from the skimmer line and I’m confused. Also should the water from the refugium go direct to the tank or should it go back to the return pump chamber? The goal is to control phosphates and nitrates.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I run my overflow directly to the refugium through a filter sock (changed out once every 5 to 7 days). From the fuge it goes to the skimmer and the the return pump which are bout in the last chamber. My macro algae grows pretty well and my nitrates and phosphates are very close to zero.

 

[Jrod381]

To be a little more clear I have a 75 gal tank and I’m using the eshopps RS-100 sump. Now I was thinking of also running the BRS dual chamber reactor, would that be overkill? Or should I just do the twin reactor and skip the refugium all together? Or keep the refugium and one reactor for carbon? As you can see I’m not sure which direction to go my main objective is to keep nitrates and phos to where it needs to be nearly zero

 

[Ron Reefman]

IMHO, do the refugium and skip the reactors. But have them in reserve in case you need them to treat some future issue. I never run GFO, carbon or any phosguard type products.

 

[smalltown reefer]

At the end of the day, do what works best for your set up. No matter where you have it feed from(or return to), it is a closed loop system. The difference of before or after the skimmer is extremely nominal at best. I have a 110 gallon DT with 40 gallon sump, and a 45 gallon fuge. I supply my fuge with a small maxi-jet pump right out of my display(it is hidden behind a bunch of live rock)and it dumps right back into the display on the opposite end of the tank. My theory is all of the beneficial critters(fish food) will help supply the feedings. If you have the right Macro algae in the fuge, reactor's are completely unneeded. At least to control Nitrates and phosphates. I am firm minimalist believer. Reactor's, filter socks, GFO, canisters, etc are all nitrate factories; unless you are very disciplined with maintenance.
Don't over think a fuge. In combination with live rock, they are the simplest and (in my opinion) the best filter any tank can have!

 

[Jrod381]

Guess I will be designing a refuge to add to the sump and building it over the week. Thanks for the help now to decide what macro algae to add I was thinking of keeping it simple chaeto and mangrove shoot. Not sure what else to add except for seeding with copepods

 

[smalltown reefer]

Guess I will be designing a refuge to add to the sump and building it over the week. Thanks for the help now to decide what macro algae to add I was thinking of keeping it simple chaeto and mangrove shoot. Not sure what else to add except for seeding with copepods

In mine I keep chaeto, fern Culerpa, and mangroves. It is a well balanced macro mix. The fern culerpa does the lion share of nutrient absorbtion. The chaeto is more of the medium level and Mangroves is the slower growing lower end. I do also have a deep sand bed. Also a big help. I am actually getting ready to thin out the culerpa and maybe even the Chaeto. If you would like, when you are ready, let me know, I'd be willing to send you some. (As long as you're not in California. It is illegal to send it there)that would jump start you're pod population as well.
Do your research on what you decide and let me know. I usually just end up throwing it in the compost bin if no one wants/needs any.

 

[Jrod381]

In mine I keep chaeto, fern Culerpa, and mangroves. It is a well balanced macro mix. The fern culerpa does the lion share of nutrient absorbtion. The chaeto is more of the medium level and Mangroves is the slower growing lower end. I do also have a deep sand bed. Also a big help. I am actually getting ready to thin out the culerpa and maybe even the Chaeto. If you would like, when you are ready, let me know, I'd be willing to send you some. (As long as you're not in California. It is illegal to send it there)that would jump start you're pod population as well.
Do your research on what you decide and let me know. I usually just end up throwing it in the compost bin if no one wants/needs any.

Appreciate the information and I will definitely take you up on your offer, I reside in Florida. Curious to know what type of lighting are you using and the wattage, hours running etc. I’ve searched in amazon and there a tons of options in lights

 

[smalltown reefer]

Appreciate the information and I will definitely take you up on your offer, I reside in Florida. Curious to know what type of lighting are you using and the wattage, hours running etc. I’ve searched in amazon and there a tons of options in lights

Standard 2 bulb shop light with 6500 bulbs. Home Depot...$20. Not only am I a minimalist, I am cheap too[emoji1] . But they work great. Just replace the bulbs every 6 months. This set up is going 3 years strong.

I have to take handfuls out once or twice a month. You can't let the culerpa overtake the system. Once it is established, you will see/know how your tank reacts. Just PM me and we can figure it out from there.