Refugium question

rcpalmer1 · May 16, 2017

I am setting up a new tank. After watching BRS video on how well cheato filters the water I want to include one. I have seen sumps where the cheato spins. What is the beat flow pattern. My sump has three chambers. The cheato will be in the middle one.when the water leaves it goes over a 7 inch high baffle. The baffle going into this chamber, should the water go over, under, or through the middle?

CodyRVA · May 16, 2017

I would answer this question based on the other components of the sump. As far as chaeto tumbling, mine doesn't at all and it grows like crazy so take that part with a grain of salt. The main things to remember about your baffles is things like bubble traps, keeping macro algaes from getting into the return pump, etc. My setup, in regards to my refugium chamber; the water exits the refugium chamber by going under a baffle not over. This keeps the chaeto from rolling over the top of the baffle; it floats pretty well so rarely have I ever seen it go under a baffle.

saltyfilmfolks · May 16, 2017

Under if you can manage it. All plants like the best possible flow. so bottom to top penetrates the plant better. IMO.

Mal11224 · May 16, 2017

The only way to get chaeto to tumble is to put a powerhead in the chamber. Your flow will not be strong enough to get it to tumble and it is not necessary to be effective. Also, the water going in and out of the chamber is usually at the bottom of the baffle. You can also house copepods in the fuge, which in turn, will supply treats to your livestock. My sump has 4 chambers, my fuge is right before my return chamber, which is the correct format. It keeps my nitrates very low and the pods feed my mandarins in the tank.

rcpalmer1 · May 16, 2017

So water comes in and goes out at the bottom?

Best Fish-Jake · May 16, 2017

As long as the chaeto isn't sitting in stagnant water it will grow fine.

Mal11224 · May 16, 2017

rcpalmer1 said:
So water comes in and goes out at the bottom?

That is correct. At the bottom of the baffle. Rises into the chamber and out the other side over the wall and down the baffle into the return area. I can take a pic and post it tomorrow morning.

rcpalmer1 · May 16, 2017

This is what I have. Protein skimmer going in the first chamber and 1900gph pump in the last.

rcpalmer1 · May 16, 2017

Mal11224 said:
That is correct. At the bottom of the baffle. Rises into the chamber and out the other side over the wall and down the baffle into the return area. I can take a pic and post it tomorrow morning.

Thanks that would be great. Look like I need to add another baffle to get the water flow to the bottom.

Mal11224 · May 16, 2017

Okay. I took a pic. You'll notice on the left side the water goes under the baffle into the fuge and exits out in similar fashion over a partition and travels under the baffle into the return. The water in the fuge is basically contained in that chamber. The water coming out is nice and clear.

Mal11224 · May 17, 2017

rcpalmer1 said:
This is what I have. Protein skimmer going in the first chamber and 1900gph pump in the last.

Your sump has an overflow at the top. Your fuge, of course, will go in the middle. You should be able to set up a nice refugium with a substrate if you want. I used miracle mud. the fuge will help you maintain a healthy tank.

rcpalmer1 · May 17, 2017

Mal11224 said:
Your sump has an overflow at the top. Your fuge, of course, will go in the middle. You should be able to set up a nice refugium with a substrate if you want. I used miracle mud. the fuge will help you maintain a healthy tank.

It may have been me not using the correct verbage. Mine leaves over the top then goes under to the next camber. I think it is almost the same route as yours if I am not mistaken.

bif24701 · May 17, 2017

This is my 40 breeder, first chamber 10"x6", second 9"x18"(cheato), third 12" long drain

rcpalmer1 · May 17, 2017

bif24701 said:
This is my 40 breeder, first chamber 10"x6", second 9"x18"(cheato), third 12" long drain

Thanks that look about like what I got.

bif24701 · May 18, 2017

rcpalmer1 said:
Thanks that look about like what I got.

1/4" glass baffles cut and polished edges from a local glass store. 1/4 baffles are heavy duty and make a good strong product you can depend on for a long time. Injected silicone all seems makes a very strong bond.

rcpalmer1 · May 18, 2017

bif24701 said:
1/4" glass baffles cut and polished edges from a local glass store. 1/4 baffles are heavy duty and make a good strong product you can depend on for a long time. Injected silicone all seems makes a very strong bond.

Since my sump was acrylic I used 1/4 inch acrylic for the baffle I added.

bif24701 · May 18, 2017

rcpalmer1 said:
Since my sump was acrylic I used 1/4 inch acrylic for the baffle I added.

Acrylic/acrylic and glass to glass both make great bonds however glass to acrylic doesn't.

CodyRVA · May 18, 2017

bif24701 said:
Acrylic/acrylic and glass to glass both make great bonds however glass to acrylic doesn't.

Depends on the size of the sump, I.E. the pressure and flow. I have a relatively small glass sump at 30 gallons and used acrylic baffles.

You'll only have issues if you get into large sumps.