Refugium volume versus total system volume?

[Joshua kimzey]

I'm looking into setting up a 20 long into a sump/refugium for a 36 gallon DT. Any ideas as to how much space to use for the fuge? I plan on having a Mandarin goby and a red dragonet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[davocean]

I'm not sure you are going to get much fuge in a 20g after baffles and skimmer/return pump section.

I also think that tank may not be big enough for even one of those fish, not the mandarin at least.

 

[mta_morrow]

I'm not sure you are going to get much fuge in a 20g after baffles and skimmer/return pump section.

I also think that tank may not be big enough for even one of those fish, not the mandarin at least.

Agreed!

 

[Brad Miller]

I'm not sure you are going to get much fuge in a 20g after baffles and skimmer/return pump section.

I also think that tank may not be big enough for even one of those fish, not the mandarin at least.

+2 on this

 

[Ron Reefman]

The above is true... however...

I have a 40g cube with a 40g sump/refugium and the chaeto grows well and keeps the DT very clean. I did the sump/fuge build myself so I could make it as big as possible and fit in the stand. I think the bigger you can make the sump/fuge (especially the fuge) the better. I only have 2 chambers in it. About 2/3rds is a filter sock and fuge with a gyre pump to turn the chaeto. The other 1/3rd is JUST big enough for the skimmer and the return pump.

 

[Joshua kimzey]

I'm not sure you are going to get much fuge in a 20g after baffles and skimmer/return pump section.

I also think that tank may not be big enough for even one of those fish, not the mandarin at least.

I am not planning on using a skimmer. Just a refugium section and a return pump section. Refugium plan is filter socks, sand, chato, live rock, 1brittle star, and possibly a cucumber. Blue hermit and nassarius x6 each for DT cleanup crew.