Stand Alone Refugium

[pdiehm]

So I'm constantly thinking about things, and If i would put a 20 High next to a 40 breeder, and have the 20 high as a refugium gravity feed into the breeder, would I be better off with this:

Drain from display (40 breeder) into say 20 Long sump, run the return to the refugium, and have the refugium gravity drain into the display?

Or

Drain from Display into 20 long sump (or whatever I would use), and split the return to the display and 20 high as a stand alone refugium with say 4" of sand, and a mixture of macro algaes, snails, pods, shrimp, etc?

 

[frungkis1]

Either method would work. Something to keep in mind, the first method would only work well if the return pump you choose isn't on the powerful side. If the pump is too powerful, you might run into the issue of the full return flow into the refugium will cause all of your mud, sand, and such being kicked around and blowing everywhere. A simple solution to that issue is to employ your second method and split the return into both your display and refugium and control the flow to the refugium by using a ball valve on that part of the return line. Hope that helps in your choice.

 

[lapin]

Unless you need a lot of flow in the fuge (keeping something like a nem or SPS) you want a slower flow than most people have going thru their sumps. I would split the return. Be sure you do not let your fuge drain get clogged with macro and stuff.