Refugium placement

[strava]

Hi everyone,

I just got into the hobby and was interested on getting additional insights regarding refugium placement. Due to my sump size I'm not sure if anyone can help or direct me to a website so that I can use a diagram. My plan is to have everything ready and set-up so that I'm ready for anything when I add my saltwater into my tank.

Best regards,

 

[Isaac Alves]

Is this the compartment you’re thinking for the fuge ….?

 

[strava]

Is this the compartment you’re thinking for the fuge ….?

Yes but wasn't sure if that's possible. I've seen post say to put refugium after skimmer section between skimmer and return pump. So now I'm lost

 

[Subsea]

Hi everyone,

I just got into the hobby and was interested on getting additional insights regarding refugium placement. Due to my sump size I'm not sure if anyone can help or direct me to a website so that I can use a diagram. My plan is to have everything ready and set-up so that I'm ready for anything when I add my saltwater into my tank.

Best regards,

Looks crowded to me. Keep things simple. A refugium is a refuge from predators. Just add some pods once tank is online. Pods will live on biofilm algae.

HOB filter is filled with reef rubble & pods and now it’s a refugium.

Not sure what you mean by ready for anything.

How do you plan to cycle the display tank?

 

[Tikki]

Is this the compartment you’re thinking for the fuge ….?

Yes but wasn't sure if that's possible. I've seen post say to put refugium after skimmer section between skimmer and return pump. So now I'm lost

Tough to tell from the picture what’s going on in there. Maybe the reefmat is where the refugium would be? Mine is before my skimmer.

 

[Isaac Alves]

A couple thoughts…

First,
If you really want a fuge can you take picture to show us how water will enter and leave this chamber?

Second,

The things I see, or read, from more experienced aquarists than me are:

• Why do you want a refugium?
• A refugium can only do one of two things: nutrient export, or refuge for micro-fauna to feed tank — difficult to optimize for both
• Refugiums for nutrient export will suck trace elements to grow
• Another maintenance task

My own experience with refugiums is that it was hard for me to maintain, because it would capture a lot of detritus and at times grow cyano or dinos. So i didn’t enjoy it. I ended up using the area as a cryptic zone for live rock rubble and more biological media — and it seems to grow pods and amphipods just as well without the light. I still need to remove detritus build up but it’s easier for me without the macro algae.

 

[Dom]

In my experience, the best place to put the refugium is after mechanical filtration but BEFORE the skimmer.

 

[strava]

Looks crowded to me. Keep things simple. A refugium is a refuge from predators. Just add some pods once tank is online. Pods will live on biofilm algae.

HOB filter is filled with reef rubble & pods and now it’s a refugium.

Not sure what you mean by ready for anything.

How do you plan to cycle the display tank?

Good morning,

Yes, I agree my sump is very crowded but I heard reef mats is better over filter socks. Originally my sump first section was a filter socks location - second section was the refugium section - 3rd section is for skimmer and last section return pump. Since I've removed the filter socks section to be able to fit my reef mat its currently taking both section in my sump. I may be over thinking things but I like to plan ahead and do everything once (example: plumbing ready for UV sterilizers - media reactor) because it will be harder for me to add later once everything is in placed. For cycling my tank I have (2) 40 lbs boxes of Real Reef rocks. I will also use Dr. Tims to help my tank cycle.

Best regards,

 

[mfinn]

Is this the compartment you’re thinking for the fuge ….?

I agree too.
With my sumps I plan it out so water goes to the skimmer first, then into a refugium and then the return area that I also use for top off float switch, heater, etc.

 

[landlubber]

To me that sump is great for an added shot of water volume and allows you to hide your gear but It just is a very small space to expect an impactful change as far as a refugium is concerned.
Not to mention, you're going to have light spill all the way around and will likely have bits of macroalgae to deal with going through your other equipment and eventually in the display.

 

[strava]

To me that sump is great for an added shot of water volume and allows you to hide your gear but It just is a very small space to expect an impactful change as far as a refugium is concerned.
Not to mention, you're going to have light spill all the way around and will likely have bits of macroalgae to deal with going through your other equipment and eventually in the display.

What would be your suggestion? Would having this set-up be sufficient in my sump

- Protein Skimmer
- Reef Mat Roller
- Return pump
- UV Sterilizer
- Media reactor
- Bioblocks

Best regards,

 

[strava]

A couple thoughts…

First,
If you really want a fuge can you take picture to show us how water will enter and leave this chamber?

Second,

The things I see, or read, from more experienced aquarists than me are:

• Why do you want a refugium?
• A refugium can only do one of two things: nutrient export, or refuge for micro-fauna to feed tank — difficult to optimize for both
• Refugiums for nutrient export will suck trace elements to grow
• Another maintenance task

My own experience with refugiums is that it was hard for me to maintain, because it would capture a lot of detritus and at times grow cyano or dinos. So i didn’t enjoy it. I ended up using the area as a cryptic zone for live rock rubble and more biological media — and it seems to grow pods and amphipods just as well without the light. I still need to remove detritus build up but it’s easier for me without the macro algae.

Good morning Isaac,

I've attached a picture showing my flow direction. I'm new to the hobby and been hearing it's a great idea to have a refugium to help keep water clean. I'm open to suggestion

Currently, I have the following items that will be in my sump

- Protein Skimmer
- Reef Mat Roller
- Return Pump
- UV Sterilizer
- Carbon media reactor - 1 unit (Not sure if I need to purchase another)
- Bioblocks

Best regards,

 

[strava]

Is this the compartment you’re thinking for the fuge ….?

Would something like this make sense? if I place it in a separate tank

 

[landlubber]

What would be your suggestion? Would having this set-up be sufficient in my sump

- Protein Skimmer
- Reef Mat Roller
- Return pump
- UV Sterilizer
- Media reactor
- Bioblocks

Best regards,

For me nutrient management has always been more of a response than implementing a tool ahead of the issue as you're essentially meeting the requirements of your growing population of pets.
You might not have to do anything more than your media reactor and bioblocks along with periodic water changes. Also keep in mind, modern equipment is efficient enough that piling too many things can actually strip the water devoid of po4 and NO3 which is worse than having too much.
Also, there is nothing wrong with having room to add something down the road than packing it full and not needing it.
I've had a reactor for GFO that has sat in a box for the past 8 years as it didn't suit my needs after the money was already spent

 

[Subsea]

Good morning,

Yes, I agree my sump is very crowded but I heard reef mats is better over filter socks. Originally my sump first section was a filter socks location - second section was the refugium section - 3rd section is for skimmer and last section return pump. Since I've removed the filter socks section to be able to fit my reef mat its currently taking both section in my sump. I may be over thinking things but I like to plan ahead and do everything once (example: plumbing ready for UV sterilizers - media reactor) because it will be harder for me to add later once everything is in placed. For cycling my tank I have (2) 40 lbs boxes of Real Reef rocks. I will also use Dr. Tims to help my tank cycle.

Best regards,

yes, you are over thinking and overcrowding your sump.

“For cycling my tank I have (2) 40 lbs boxes of Real Reef rocks. I will also use Dr. Tims to help my tank cycle.“

Is this dry rock?

Try less technology and more biology.

 

[strava]

yes, you are over thinking and overcrowding your sump.

“For cycling my tank I have (2) 40 lbs boxes of Real Reef rocks. I will also use Dr. Tims to help my tank cycle.“

Is this dry rock?

Try less technology and more biology.

Yes, they are dry rocks.

 

[Subsea]

For me nutrient management has always been more of a response than implementing a tool ahead of the issue as you're essentially meeting the requirements of your growing population of pets.
You might not have to do anything more than your media reactor and bioblocks along with periodic water changes. Also keep in mind, modern equipment is efficient enough that piling too many things can actually strip the water devoid of po4 and NO3 which is worse than having too much.
Also, there is nothing wrong with having room to add something down the road than packing it full and not needing it.
I've had a reactor for GFO that has sat in a box for the past 8 years as it didn't suit my needs after the money was already spent

OP,
You should think long & hard on the above post.

After 55 years of reefing, all of my systems are skimmerless and all but two are sumpless. Live rock & coral is the biofilter. Cryptic refugiums work without technology & equipment.

 

[strava]

Also, saw this today as a refugium. I would black out the glass so that the light does shine through