Separate refugium advantages?

Jasper05 · Nov 13, 2020

Besides the ability to go bigger, are there any inherent advantanges that a separate refugium plumbed in has over a refugium located in the sump?

Auquanut · Nov 13, 2020

Perhaps the ability to keep the fuge light away from the rest of the sump. Reduces the amount of algae/coraline that can grow in the sump.

gtguy256 · Nov 13, 2020

You can also run a different turnover rate if the refugium is separate

Jasper05 · Nov 13, 2020

gtguy256 said:
You can also run a different turnover rate if the refugium is separate

That begs the question then, how much of a benefit is it to have a slower rate through the fuge?

Uncle99 · Nov 13, 2020

A big benefit!
Slow in filtration is good.

Jasper05 · Nov 13, 2020

I guess I should have also asked if there were any disadvantages of having a separate refugium?

Jseimo · Nov 13, 2020

As I can see. Pros would be more water volume, more space in your sump for a frag tank or other accessories, no light spillage. Cons would be another thing to overflow or leak, takes up more space

Joeg · Nov 13, 2020

I think the others so far have hit on the benefits of having separate lighting and flow which would be worth if it you have the space. I've always wanted to have a large lagoon style fuge that's actually a second display tank.

Sdot · Nov 13, 2020

I too had that very question when I was in the planning stages of my new build. Ultimately I decided to to go with a separate sump. All of the advantages everyone has mentioned I agree with...its one of the best decisions I have made for this build. I run miracle mud in my sump and I also feed phyto so the pods can feed the main system. When I feed the fuge phyto, I turn the flow off for 30 minutes, giving the pods an opportunity to gorge themselves. Result: at night my tank looks like a snow storm of pods and my corals benefit bigly...lol.

Also if I need to treat the display, I can do so without impacting the fuge (Algae treatments...etc). Lastly when and if I need to replace the mud...I don't have to worry about the silt impacting my main tank. So many benefits to list...but I would recommend it.

Jasper05 · Nov 13, 2020

Sdot said:
I too had that very question when I was in the planning stages of my new build. Ultimately I decided to to go with a separate sump. All of the advantages everyone has mentioned I agree with...its one of the best decisions I have made for this build. I run miracle mud in my sump and I also feed phyto so the pods can feed the main system. When I feed the fuge phyto, I turn the flow off for 30 minutes, giving the pods an opportunity to gorge themselves. Result: at night my tank looks like a snow storm of pods and my corals benefit bigly...lol.

Also if I need to treat the display, I can do so without impacting the fuge (Algae treatments...etc). Lastly when and if I need to replace the mud...I don't have to worry about the silt impacting my main tank. So many benefits to list...but I would recommend it.

I started your build thread...quite the setup! Super clean. I hope mine is half of what yours is lol. I might have to pick your brain when I get closer. Do you know what the flow is through your fuge?

Sdot · Nov 13, 2020

Jasper05 said:
I started your build thread...quite the setup! Super clean. I hope mine is half of what yours is lol. I might have to pick your brain when I get closer. Do you know what the flow is through your fuge?

Aww thanks bud..... I don't know the flow per se' I do have the Vectra L2 powering the entire system, and I have a gate valve that I must turn down otherwise would blow the mud all over. There is enough movement to have a slight shimmer in the fuge.