Change in Lights or Larger Refugium

[AJP279]

I have a few questions, but before I get to those, I have a little background for you to consider. Mu 210-gallon tank was set up march 10th, 2019, and somewhere on this site are some of the original images. I have nothing fancy…in many ways it’s all old school. I initially ventured into salt water fish aquariums after some encouragement from a really good friend; battle buddy in the first gulf war; when I got back my first system was a salt water “fish” aquarium. My experience ended when I attended…and graduated…Sapper leader course; my ex-wife “Elizabitch” had let everything die. However, T-5 style lighting was the name of the game back then…actual metal halide lighting was for the rich and famous.

I decided to use 4 Kessel 360W-E Blue tuna lighting, which were evenly spaced and are about a foot off of the tank, and centered evenly; I also bought the computer so there were no concerns about time on and off, with the settings changing throughout the day: Dawn, early morning; day; early evening; dusk; night (or something like that).

I forgot what I was focused on…hmmm…ok…my 210-gallon tank is old school with a large hang on the back drain, and is pumped through a wall and into my office; courtesy of 1 ½” PVC pipe. The current refugium is a modified 55-gallon tank with three separations: 300-gallon Octopus protein skimmer, and jury-rigged white mesh thing that captures large particulates before entering into the 2nd chamber; real sea mud…a lot of it, crushed coral, circular and square ceramic balls; the return 1” PVC pipe. I don’t recall the size, or event name of the return pump, but it was about $400.00 and came with a remote to control it. The refugee light over the 2nd chamber is a $25 LED, and is on max 24/7.

I have seeded the tank with both purple and coralline algae, hoping the contrast would present something different; the purple was added first with the pink added about three months later. I kept the fish load very low, but have had a number of cleaning crew active in both the display tank and refugium. The water is tested on a regular basis and is kept in pristine conditions (until one of you experts tells me to check something else and I find out it’s all ****** up). My current fish is: Large sailfin Tang, who is not a welcoming member; one or two Blue Chromis (the others have mysteriously disappeared; large cleaner shrimp; sally lightfoot; two clowns; and a niger trigger, who looks so harmless.

It is now time to take another step forward, and I’m left with a few options:

• I’m considering exchanging the 55 gallon refugium for a 210 gallon refugium; which was the original plan.
• Incorporate a hybrid lighting system; the type of T-5 bulbs is unknown at this time.
• Add two more Kessel lights on the opposite side of the tank.

Ok…I can only do one…so which is it, and why…your thoughts…

 

[AJP279]

I have a few questions, but before I get to those, I have a little background for you to consider. Mu 210-gallon tank was set up march 10th, 2019, and somewhere on this site are some of the original images. I have nothing fancy…in many ways it’s all old school. I initially ventured into salt water fish aquariums after some encouragement from a really good friend; battle buddy in the first gulf war; when I got back my first system was a salt water “fish” aquarium. My experience ended when I attended…and graduated…Sapper leader course; my ex-wife “Elizabitch” had let everything die. However, T-5 style lighting was the name of the game back then…actual metal halide lighting was for the rich and famous.

I decided to use 4 Kessel 360W-E Blue tuna lighting, which were evenly spaced and are about a foot off of the tank, and centered evenly; I also bought the computer so there were no concerns about time on and off, with the settings changing throughout the day: Dawn, early morning; day; early evening; dusk; night (or something like that).

I forgot what I was focused on…hmmm…ok…my 210-gallon tank is old school with a large hang on the back drain, and is pumped through a wall and into my office; courtesy of 1 ½” PVC pipe. The current refugium is a modified 55-gallon tank with three separations: 300-gallon Octopus protein skimmer, and jury-rigged white mesh thing that captures large particulates before entering into the 2nd chamber; real sea mud…a lot of it, crushed coral, circular and square ceramic balls; the return 1” PVC pipe. I don’t recall the size, or event name of the return pump, but it was about $400.00 and came with a remote to control it. The refugee light over the 2nd chamber is a $25 LED, and is on max 24/7.

I have seeded the tank with both purple and coralline algae, hoping the contrast would present something different; the purple was added first with the pink added about three months later. I kept the fish load very low, but have had a number of cleaning crew active in both the display tank and refugium. The water is tested on a regular basis and is kept in pristine conditions (until one of you experts tells me to check something else and I find out it’s all ****** up). My current fish is: Large sailfin Tang, who is not a welcoming member; one or two Blue Chromis (the others have mysteriously disappeared; large cleaner shrimp; sally lightfoot; two clowns; and a niger trigger, who looks so harmless.

It is now time to take another step forward, and I’m left with a few options:

• I’m considering exchanging the 55 gallon refugium for a 210 gallon refugium; which was the original plan.
• Incorporate a hybrid lighting system; the type of T-5 bulbs is unknown at this time.
• Add two more Kessel lights on the opposite side of the tank.

Ok…I can only do one…so which is it, and why…your thoughts…

and green polyps...forgot about the green polyps

 

[JustAnt]

Maybe I missed it in your post but are you intending to keep corals in the tank? Or is this tank a Fish with only live rock tank?

if no corals then I don't see a need for more lighting in the system.

does your tank have excess nutrient problems That are not being taken up by the existing 55 gallon refugium? otherwise what is the reason to increase the refugium?

Others will eventually chime in with there input as well!

 

[Jase4224]

55gal refugium is more than enough. You can use a horticulture led (for growing plants) to effectively super charge growth of the algae to suck up nutrients. Don’t use crappy lights on your fuge and it will allow you to heavily stock your tank if you wish. BRS have some great videos showing the ideal lighting for a fuge and showing the potential they have. Rather than a bigger fuge just get a better light..

 

[AJP279]

Maybe I missed it in your post but are you intending to keep corals in the tank? Or is this tank a Fish with only live rock tank?

if no corals then I don't see a need for more lighting in the system.

does your tank have excess nutrient problems That are not being taken up by the existing 55 gallon refugium? otherwise what is the reason to increase the refugium?

Others will eventually chime in with there input as well!

Fish and corals. As for the refugium...that was always the plan, it just was not possible on my initial build last year. The lights took a significant bite out of my build funds; frankly, I was down to do it yourself build options when my fish guy (store) offered me an alternative. So, the set up now is how things were put together in March of last year. I'm retired so I can afford to spend more time (I live alone too) with the hobby; so I want to get into the corals. However, I want as much time to react...or cushion...as I can get. I'm also in a wheel chair so placing the refugium in my office and lower to the ground...with nothing directly above it...was a necessity. I can now work on the refugium from the comfort of my chair; but its not beautiful like some of the systems so I have not attached any pictures.

I have a buddy who loved nano tanks...I could never do that...I'd go get a cup of coffee and bam...**** sandwich.

 

[AJP279]

I have a few questions, but before I get to those, I have a little background for you to consider. Mu 210-gallon tank was set up march 10th, 2019, and somewhere on this site are some of the original images. I have nothing fancy…in many ways it’s all old school. I initially ventured into salt water fish aquariums after some encouragement from a really good friend; battle buddy in the first gulf war; when I got back my first system was a salt water “fish” aquarium. My experience ended when I attended…and graduated…Sapper leader course; my ex-wife “Elizabitch” had let everything die. However, T-5 style lighting was the name of the game back then…actual metal halide lighting was for the rich and famous.

I decided to use 4 Kessel 360W-E Blue tuna lighting, which were evenly spaced and are about a foot off of the tank, and centered evenly; I also bought the computer so there were no concerns about time on and off, with the settings changing throughout the day: Dawn, early morning; day; early evening; dusk; night (or something like that).

I forgot what I was focused on…hmmm…ok…my 210-gallon tank is old school with a large hang on the back drain, and is pumped through a wall and into my office; courtesy of 1 ½” PVC pipe. The current refugium is a modified 55-gallon tank with three separations: 300-gallon Octopus protein skimmer, and jury-rigged white mesh thing that captures large particulates before entering into the 2nd chamber; real sea mud…a lot of it, crushed coral, circular and square ceramic balls; the return 1” PVC pipe. I don’t recall the size, or event name of the return pump, but it was about $400.00 and came with a remote to control it. The refugee light over the 2nd chamber is a $25 LED, and is on max 24/7.

I have seeded the tank with both purple and coralline algae, hoping the contrast would present something different; the purple was added first with the pink added about three months later. I kept the fish load very low, but have had a number of cleaning crew active in both the display tank and refugium. The water is tested on a regular basis and is kept in pristine conditions (until one of you experts tells me to check something else and I find out it’s all ****** up). My current fish is: Large sailfin Tang, who is not a welcoming member; one or two Blue Chromis (the others have mysteriously disappeared; large cleaner shrimp; sally lightfoot; two clowns; and a niger trigger, who looks so harmless.

It is now time to take another step forward, and I’m left with a few options:

• I’m considering exchanging the 55 gallon refugium for a 210 gallon refugium; which was the original plan.
• Incorporate a hybrid lighting system; the type of T-5 bulbs is unknown at this time.
• Add two more Kessel lights on the opposite side of the tank.

Ok…I can only do one…so which is it, and why…your thoughts…

 

[Eb1air]

First want to say love the fox news reflecting off the glass. Lol. any ways I would not change what u have if anything invest in a doser makes stability in the tank easier. Also stability is the key to keeping most all coral.
Ps. Thank you for your service.

 

[therootcause]

Making sure I get the facts correct... Your sump is currently 55 gallons and a portion of it is a refugium. You’re considering a 210 gallon sump so that you can expand the refugium (I think that’s what you tried to say when you mentioned adding a 210 gallon refugium....unless you essentially mean making an actual 210 gallon planted macro tank...whole other ball game.)

can we get a photo of the sump?

What macro are you using?

what are you trying to achieve...you already mention that water params are perfect.

if algae control in the display is the goal, that $25 light in the back cannot compete with the display lighting. Maybe consider using an algae scrubber. Have you watched the brs videos on YouTube about refugiums and scrubbers?