Nutrient export methods...?

[Stege_saurus]

Would it be a good idea to run both an algae scrubber and refugium?

*The only algae I can seem to grow is GHA so I was wondering if both of these methods together would be a good source of nutrient export. I also don't have room for a protein skimmer... bummer*

 

[2Wheelsonly]

If you were going to run a refugium why not just instead extend your sump with another tank to house a skimmer and turf scrubber? They also make external skimmers...

Hard to battle nutrient issues when you don't have a skimmer. It can be done, plenty of folks that run without one but why make it an uphill battle? If space was my roadblock to success then i'd be focusing on ways to increase space by all means even if I have to be wildly creative.

 

[Victor_C3]

I’m going to say that running both turf scrubber and a refugium at the same time would be overkill. Both methods compete for the same resources and both are extremely effective by themselves.

My personal preference has been to run a refugium with Chaeto, but I’ve never tried a scrubber before.

If space is an issue, perhaps look into an “algae reactor” as an additional option as well.

 

[sde1500]

How do you have room for a fuge and scrubber, but not a skimmer?

 

[Stege_saurus]

How do you have room for a fuge and scrubber, but not a skimmer?

Unfortunately, the person who designed this sump and stand (I bought it used) didn't plan to have a very big area for a sump. If I got a bigger sump I would have to do alot of readjusting to the stand. I'll post a pic when I get home to explain better what im talking about. I would love to redo my sump to accommodate for a protein skimmer, I feel it would make things alot easier because currently im battling minimal coral growth and high nutrients. Ugh lol

 

[Stege_saurus]

How do you have room for a fuge and scrubber, but not a skimmer?

The area in the middle is 10"X 9". Unfortunately, the designer of this stand made it so the only way to get the sump out is out the bottom of the stand. (Lift the stand above it). My tank size is approx 120-130 gallon and I only have about an 8" wide area to fit the skimmer through. (Where the opening for the door and the top of the sump meet.)

 

[Knology]

Is that a 40B?

 

[fermentedhiker]

You might look into a HOB skimmer as a possibility.

 

[Stege_saurus]

Is that a 40B?

Im not entirely sure, but my best guess would be yes. It's somewhere between 30 & 40 gal

 

[Knology]

If it is a 40B, I would recommend this. I have worked with this guy before for a custom sump kit of a 75 gallon. This kit would get you 2-3 sock holders(look at all the pictures), a skimmer section, fuge section, and return section. Of course, you would need to drain your sump, gut it, and then install the new baffles. The skimmer space is small footprint but a Red Sea RSK 300 would fit just fine.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

I picked up a different kit a couple years ago and was able to do this with a 40B too. Coincidentally, I think it was from the same guy. His new kits, above, are incredibly easy to assemble.

 

[Victor_C3]

I had a skimmer in a sump smaller than that years back. If you push your filter sock to the side, you could probably fit something in that first compartment.

 

[sde1500]

The area in the middle is 10"X 9". Unfortunately, the designer of this stand made it so the only way to get the sump out is out the bottom of the stand. (Lift the stand above it). My tank size is approx 120-130 gallon and I only have about an 8" wide area to fit the skimmer through. (Where the opening for the door and the top of the sump meet.)

Only way out of my stand is through the front doors too so my sump is very much stuck. I fit a Reef Octopus 110int completely out for cleaning and back in through this space. Certainly can use that space as a fuge but I tried something like that and ended up back with my skimmer. And I’m building a ATS now to pair it with. I think it would be the best combo. ATS and fuge makes little sense.

 

[2Wheelsonly]

Unfortunately, the person who designed this sump and stand (I bought it used) didn't plan to have a very big area for a sump. If I got a bigger sump I would have to do alot of readjusting to the stand. I'll post a pic when I get home to explain better what im talking about. I would love to redo my sump to accommodate for a protein skimmer, I feel it would make things alot easier because currently im battling minimal coral growth and high nutrients. Ugh lol

why not just add to the stand? if the wood or paint is fairly easy to match you could build something out next to it and drill a simple hole for plumbing. If the stand is white you could do two white cabinets side by side and put equip in there.

 

[Stege_saurus]

why not just add to the stand? if the wood or paint is fairly easy to match you could build something out next to it and drill a simple hole for plumbing. If the stand is white you could do two white cabinets side by side and put equip in there.

I wish, but it's in between two doorways and if I add on either side it would block a doorway.

 

[Knology]

Ouch.

Sounds like the perfect excuse for a new tank!

 

[Stege_saurus]

Ouch.

Sounds like the perfect excuse for a new tank!

Ha, I just upgraded to this tank less than a year ago. Im sure I can figure something out. I have a couple weeks off coming up, so im gonna take that time and get everything more of how I want it.

 

[Bryknicks]

That looks like a 7" filter sock (if the sump is a 40B). I would switch it to a 4" and that should give you enough room to put a skimmer in the first chamber and a refugium in the second chamber.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Would it be a good idea to run both an algae scrubber and refugium?

The scrubber would most likely out-compete the refugium for nutrients. You can run both, but that would be a balancing act, you'd have to monitor nutrients closely to make sure you didn't bottom them out.