Refugium or no?

[carlson]

I have been trying to decide whether or not I want a fuge under my 75 that was setup about I month ago. Everything is going great good polyp extension all of the fish are getting along and im about to upgrade my sump to a 20 long. I've always thought it would be cool to have a deep sand bed fuge with about 4 or 5 mangroves in it and maybe some macro algae. I would love to have a safe place for inverts too. Would it really be that beneficial though he cause know what happens to deep sand beds over time. They start collecting detritus and it becomes more of a nutrient issue than helpful. I really want it under my tank since I have so much room and I think it would look great, but I'm really cautious when it comes to stuff like this. I don't want to cause my problems what so ever in my tank. What do you think?

 

[NanaReefer]

Definitely an added plus IMO. But why the deep SB? It's not needed. Are you set on wanting the Mangroves? There are so many awesome looking Refugium's with a vast array of macros. Actually what I'm going for

 

[Cal]

the more volume the better!

 

[mikey_p]

i like having a refugium i use it for stuff that dont go in my main tank mine is a 20 high n mangroves are good but they grow fast

 

[Thunderfan]

Glad you started this. I have read many opinions on whether or not a fuge is needed. My sump is going to be made from a 30g tank but, I was told by the time I section off the skimmer and return the fuge won't be big enough to do any good. Was told o would be better off using that area for the return. I'll tag along and see what people say.

 

[NanaReefer]

I totally disagree. I use a 20L for my sump. My fuge area is 13x12. My skimmer & return areas are just big enough to fit the equipment, that is all that's needed IMO.
Anyone NOT running a Refugium is definitely running reactors of some sort. It's all about filtration.

 

[carlson]

Yeah I'm gonna do minimum room for the pump and other filtration and have as much room for the fuge as possible. Also, what type of light do you run over yours? I thought a lot just getting a daylight flouresent bulb?

 

[Thunderfan]

If I do run a fuge I am going to run an eshoppes refugium led. I think they are about $80.
I think the return needs to be bigger than just big enough for the pump. I plan on running an ato but, still want a little more capacity for less heat transfer and don't want it to run dry as fast if something happens to ato.

 

[NanaReefer]

Yeah I'm gonna do minimum room for the pump and other filtration and have as much room for the fuge as possible. Also, what type of light do you run over yours? I thought a lot just getting a daylight flouresent bulb?

I started with the UtiliTech 15w LED, but for whatever reason it caused major cyano & HA in my fuge.
Rick of Reef Radiance sent me the DM-5e and honestly I am freaking amazed at this lil full spectrum 5w LED. Within a week all cyano and HA were gone. My Chaeto is a lush dark green, feather dusters and pine apple sponge abound. It's a great light!

 

[carlson]

I started with the UtiliTech 15w LED, but for whatever reason it caused major cyano & HA in my fuge.
Rick of Reef Radiance sent me the DM-5e and honestly I am freaking amazed at this lil full spectrum 5w LED. Within a week all cyano and HA were gone. My Chaeto is a lush dark green, feather dusters and pine apple sponge abound. It's a great light!

Wow I'm impressed! How much is this light and are you sure it was the light that was causing the algae problem?

 

[NanaReefer]

Positive it was the light. It was just to much for my lil fuge. The DM-5e light is $29.99, this is a Par 30 lamp. 1xred, 1xviolet, 2xroyal blue and 1xwhite65k. Apparently this is all that's needed. Now I have the proof