Questions from my planning phase

[ShrimpBandit]

I'd just bought a 20g tank for s&g when I inherited an operational, if amatuer, salty 40g, which came with an empty 10g. After rediscovering my saltwater interest, I scored a brand new 55g, which is really kind of the manageable max for our space (for now - ). Now, I have all these darned tanks.

Planning for the take-it-slow approach to a successful reef tank in the 55g, I'd like to set up a refugium and a hospital tank, as well.

How big does a refugium for a 55g reef tank need to be? How about a hospital tank? I've got the gear to make them all work, just not the space. Little help?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Refugium should be as big as you can make it. 10g is fine, 300g is better... Hospital tank I dont have alot of experience with but I'd think a 20 long would do the trick

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Fwiw if it's a standard 55g tank those aren't very popular because they are so narrow. I would prefer a 40b or a 75g (but it would be hard to pass up a brand new 55).

 

[Peace River]

The 10g can work well for a quarantine/observation tank for many fish and corals. Depending on the configuration (20 long, 20 high, etc.), the 20g may work for a sump for the 55g (a 20 long would be great). The 55g is not the optimal reef tank because it is so long and narrow, but I have made it work in the past. The 40 (if it is a 40 breeder) is a very flexible tank and can be used for many things including a frag tank. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Refugium should be as big as you can make it. 10g is fine, 300g is better... Hospital tank I dont have alot of experience with but I'd think a 20 long would do the trick

So, really, if I wanted to bury my 40g inside the stand and call it a refugium, would it make an exponential difference versus what I could get from a 20g? And if it's harder to manage problematic water chemistry in a smaller tank, wouldn't a larger tank be better than a 10g for the purposes of treating sick livestock?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Fwiw if it's a standard 55g tank those aren't very popular because they are so narrow. I would prefer a 40b or a 75g (but it would be hard to pass up a brand new 55).

Yeah, narrow was my concern, too, but it fits the ideal spot in my house better than a bigger tank would. And I have faith in my Tetris skills to make it a good habitat, despite less-than-ideal dimensions.

 

[Conovan]

I'd just bought a 20g tank for s&g when I inherited an operational, if amatuer, salty 40g, which came with an empty 10g. After rediscovering my saltwater interest, I scored a brand new 55g, which is really kind of the manageable max for our space (for now - ). Now, I have all these darned tanks.

Planning for the take-it-slow approach to a successful reef tank in the 55g, I'd like to set up a refugium and a hospital tank, as well.

How big does a refugium for a 55g reef tank need to be? How about a hospital tank? I've got the gear to make them all work, just not the space. Little help?

I am using a 20 gallon long for my 65 gallon I would definately use the 40 if you have space.

biggest mistake I made was buying a 4 3/4" hole saw for the sock holes. had to go back and get a 4 5/8". and a drop of hot glue here and there held the baffles in place while I was siliconing them.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

The 10g can work well for a quarantine/observation tank for many fish and corals. Depending on the configuration (20 long, 20 high, etc.), the 20g may work for a sump for the 55g (a 20 long would be great). The 55g is not the optimal reef tank because it is so long and narrow, but I have made it work in the past. The 40 (if it is a 40 breeder) is a very flexible tank and can be used for many things including a frag tank. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thanks, this is helpful. When I got the 20g, it was going to just be a simple freshwater tank - so no, it's not the ideal 20 long. But from what I can tell, a refugium seems like a great DIY kind of project and I've got not problem with carpentry or fabrication. It fits in the space - maybe I can make it work? If I use the 10g as a hospital tank, it could fit alongside the 20g in the the same stand.

Then maybe I put the 40g in the office and keep all the tanks, after all!

 

[ShrimpBandit]

I am using a 20 gallon long for my 65 gallon I would definately use the 40 if you have space.

biggest mistake I made was buying a 4 3/4" hole saw for the sock holes. had to go back and get a 4 5/8". and a drop of hot glue here and there held the baffles in place while I was siliconing them.

This is helpful, too. I do like the idea of maximum filtration capacity. And I'm married to a carpenter who nerds out on his tool collection. I'd bet that we have *all* the hole saws. The glue gun, however, is mine.

 

[Conovan]

The glue gun belongs to my wife

 

[HockeyRooster]

So, really, if I wanted to bury my 40g inside the stand and call it a refugium, would it make an exponential difference versus what I could get from a 20g? And if it's harder to manage problematic water chemistry in a smaller tank, wouldn't a larger tank be better than a 10g for the purposes of treating sick livestock?

If you can use that 40, do so. You’re right on the mark about the larger water volume. With a fuge that big you will have a lot of options on how you set it up which is great.

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Related question: in setting up my sump, I plan on filter socks, protein skimmer, and refugium, but where in that setup does it make the most sense to put my power filter?

 

[gabrieltackitt]

What kind of power filter? Like a HOB?

 

[ShrimpBandit]

That's one option - I have a HOB and a HOB with biowheels, but I also have a small canister filter.

 

[HockeyRooster]

You’ll need to forgo those for a return pump. I put my return pump in the last chamber.

 

[gabrieltackitt]

I don’t think you really need any kind of power filter if you are doing a sump with a skimmer and refugium. As long as you have a fair amount of rock, that should be plenty of filtration for your tank. I’d keep the HOBs for a QT/Hospital tank.