So I am new, bought a RS 100 sump got a 75 gallon tank, my set up i am looking to do a reef tank , now this sump has the overflow chamber and a sock filter which is removable however my skimmer wont fit in there, then I have my second chamber which fits the skimmer however the refugium needs to go there and finally the 3rd compartment my return compartment. My question is can i run the skimmer and refugium in the same compartment or should I ditch one for the other, also should i place my heater in the sump or in the tank itself. Thanks in advance. I have searched this topic and I can't seem to get a full straight answer some say skimmer some say refugium depends who you ask i guess but no one has really said why they just say I like this or that better
Skimmer or refugium
- Thread starter Keachj06
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If you were willing to do away with the socks out of the first section to try to fit your skimmer in there, why can't you use that as the fuge section and keep the skimmer in the second section? Also, keep the heater in the sump. That's partially why a sump is so useful... to keep unsightly equipment out of the display tank.
I was going in attempt do that as well however the light will have a tough time there a think plexiglass glasses over the top holding the socks in. I was also told if yiu put your refugium before the skimmer all your cope pods etc will get sucked up in your skimmer basically making the refugium useless
cjd
Well-Known Member
skimmer first section , refugium second section. If the skimmer is in the refugium you may skim away all the goodies that a refugium provides. unfortunately you may have to down size a skimmer to fit in the first section or a different sump that will house the skimmer . Just note that there are plenty of gorgeous tanks ran on skimmer less or no refugium. The choice is yours!
Good point on the pods. However, I was looking at it from a pure nutrient export perspective and working around your constraints. IMHO refugiums primarily function as a place for nutrient export first and as a pod nursery second. The dirtiest water hitting the chaeto first would be ideal for its growth. You'd lose some pods to the skimmer in the next chamber, but I'm sure enough would make it through to help populate your DT.
Elementalj
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Skimmer first to remove particulate matter.
This.
Youll need to decide on why you have the fuge. bugs or export. unfortunately Id say you need to shop/trade for a different skimmer to make it work how you'd like.
I have a rs200 on my 90 and you are not going to get a skimmer and an effective refugium in that sump. I think the rule of thumb is you need "at least" a refugium 10% of the volume of your display tank.
So if this is the case what protein skimmer should i be looking for? I'll upload a picture here shortly with the size i am working with as its not much room to put a skimmer down in there and will be an absolute PITA espcially since I'm buying this thing on amazon since most of my local stores here are pretty high in price.
I honestly dont know what will fit that sump. For small compact skimmers I go with the tunze line. you do need a higher water level i belive for a 9004($160??), I belive thats what would be recommended for that tank.
BUT....
I balanced my nutrient export with a smaller skimmer and refugium from the start. 55g w 3og sump, prob only 55g water total w rock n sand. But Im a nut job and took a calculated risk that paid off. I could and have gone skimmerless in the tank to see what would happen. that was by design. I also have 10+ types of macros n such and a dsb in display and fuge.
you might want to ask Lionking what would fit.
SteveSTL
Active Member
What are you planning on keeping? Not everything wants or needs everything stripped from the water. If you're going softies/zoas/mushrooms you definitely don't need a skimmer. If you're doing SPS, you definitely do. LPS can be a coin toss but mine looked best without.
