Refugium powerhead

[Hallowhead]

I have a reefer 425xl sump modified for the reefmat. I use the same chamber the mat is in for a refugium but the water doesn't turn over nearly enough causing detritus and muck to grow weighing chaeto down and it's not growing

Need a good pump in there that won't get clogged. Any recommendations ?

 

[lapin]

My thought is to place a small pump in the return chamber and run a piece of tubing to the fuge.

 

[Hallowhead]

My thought is to place a small pump in the return chamber and run a piece of tubing to the fuge.

Isn't that just countering filtration tho ?

 

[lapin]

You said that “will not clog”. So……

 

[BoaConservationist]

sometimes you can get away by plumbing in an air snorkel into your pump to get oxygen bubbles to blast away blockages and break it down? just a thought :) --small hydroponic pumps with adjustable air valves are like 10$ and the answer -- the other answer is pushed through carbon before reaching fuge

 

[Hallowhead]

You said that “will not clog”. So……

I like the idea though, I'll probably wind up doing it.

 

[jonelder68]

I just use a sicce pump plumbed into 3 outlets. Built an egg crate cage with screen cover. So far no issues.

 

[Hallowhead]

I just use a sicce pump plumbed into 3 outlets. Built an egg crate cage with screen cover. So far no issues.

How often are you cleaning that egg crate

 

[jonelder68]

How often are you cleaning that egg crate

Maybe once every week or two I’ll pick some stuff off with tongs/tweezers. Could probably go forever though without doing anything though.

 

[mfinn]

I made a small egg crate cage to help keep cheato away from the tunze powered I use in my refugium..

 

[Hallowhead]

I just threw a sicce 3.0 in skimmer chamber back over the wall and it just wiped all the detritus out, display is cloudy now lol.

This will definitely tumble chaeto, but probably too strong. Need to dial it in so my micro fauna can survive too haha

 

[Bumper]

I feed the Refugium from a tee in the drain above the filter socks and increase flow by adding back pressure to the filter sock branch (with the capability of sending all 890 gph through the fuge and none through the socks or as little as 3gph). The issue is that regardless, all the flow seems to go across the top of the fuge from the drain cup to the baffle and the chaeto sits on the bottom under the flow without turning. Was thinking about adding a cheap nano power head (300gph) to get the algae tumbling a little. Will that work or clog?
The chaeto is really small because I’m just starting out. Maybe when it’s more massive it will start tumbling in its own?

 

[mfinn]

Was thinking about adding a cheap nano power head (300gph) to get the algae tumbling a little. Will that work or clog?
The chaeto is really small because I’m just starting out. Maybe when it’s more massive it will start tumbling in its own?

I use a small Tunze powerhead ( ball shaped). They seem to clogged less that a maxi-jet style powerhead.
It still will clog after a while. Just reach in and pull the macro away.
I also mage a eggcrate cage around mine. It helps some.

 

[UncommonSense]

I’ll just add that I’ve had my best results achieving tumbling by employing a “down” baffle before the “dam” baffle, and firing the water jet angled down at this “down” baffle!

Also, plastic mesh “pump bags” are quite popular in ponds, and could be worth looking into for ease of design!

 

[Bumper]

Thanks all. I added a mp10 and have it set to oscillate throughout the night (8min on / 22 off) when the fuge light is on and off during the day. I saw an immediate (modest ) rise in pH,

which was previously fluctuating between 7.98 and 8.1 but mostly around 8,to 8.09, where it has been locked in for 2 days now. not sure I fully understand why, but consistency seems better than not.

 

[Dom]

I have a reefer 425xl sump modified for the reefmat. I use the same chamber the mat is in for a refugium but the water doesn't turn over nearly enough causing detritus and muck to grow weighing chaeto down and it's not growing

Need a good pump in there that won't get clogged. Any recommendations ?

I've always understood that slow flow through the refugium is required.

This extends the contact time with macro algae, allowing for greater nutrient absorption. Additionally, the calm zone in the refugium serves as a better environment for pod reproduction.

 

[Hallowhead]

I've always understood that slow flow through the refugium is required.

This extends the contact time with macro algae, allowing for greater nutrient absorption. Additionally, the calm zone in the refugium serves as a better environment for pod reproduction.

It's a crazy hobby you always wind up hearing different contradicting approaches ! And sometimes make more sense lol

 

[mfinn]

I've always understood that slow flow through the refugium is required.

This extends the contact time with macro algae, allowing for greater nutrient absorption. Additionally, the calm zone in the refugium serves as a better environment for pod reproduction.

Slow flow through the sump is one thing. Creating movement in the refugium is another.
Pods are tuff, they can handle the flow.