Starting A Refugium

Squishie89 · Jan 15, 2013

I have a very small section of my sump designed to be used for a refugium. I think I am ready to try and get it going.

The section for the refugium is that small section between the skimmer section and the return section. I love my huge ATO reservoir, don't hate.
I was going to do a reverse photo period (and very grateful for my controller so I don't have to use a separate timer). For me, a reverse photo period would be from 10:30pm-1:30pm. Is that too long? It just seems quite long. I have the blue lights on for 9 hours, and the whites on for 8 hours for the tank.
I was thinking of going very basic, so some sand, no deeper than 2 inches or so, and cheato. Maybe eventually add some other macro algaes, but, since I am just beginning, I rather keep it simple.
For lighting. I wanted to go the LED route, because well, I am just sold on LEDs. I was thinking of getting the reefbreeders refugium led bulb and a regular clip on light fixture from Home Depot. However, 79 dollars seems like a lot for a light bulb (even if it is made of LEDs). My other thought was to get this Innovative Marine SkkyeLight LED Clamp Light: LED Aquarium Light Fixtures since it is both the LEDs and the clamp AIO. However, not sure if the clamp is compatible with a 30gL tank. So, some lighting input would be great. Just really not sure which way to go. I am not completely against using compact fourescent bulbs or other types of bulbs, just prefer LEDs.
Thank you!!!

oowtfmang · Jan 15, 2013

It's a little small but I guess it's better than nothing. I would create a small steel channel LED for that. You would only need 4 of them running at 2.2 to 3 watts.

Squishie89 · Jan 15, 2013

oowtfmang said:
It's a little small but I guess it's better than nothing. I would create a small steel channel LED for that. You would only need 4 of them running at 2.2 to 3 watts.

I have no experience what so ever with soldering or making my own lights what so ever. I can be pretty crafty, but that is not something I have worked with. =/

Zack · Jan 15, 2013

I have been looking into refugiums lately and from what I understand, Most refugiums don't control nutrients very well because oft he size needed to actual combat nutrients in the tank. They are still nice for having a safe place for pods to reproduce but not much else. From what research I've done, you would need a refugium close to the size of your total volume for it to really be effective. For example, having a 50 gallon tank with a 5 gallon refugium in a sump compartment is pretty much useless when it comes to nutrient control. It would be a pain to set up a 50 gallon refugium for a 55 gallon tank though! Think of the size of the stand you would need! I may be wrong but all the research I have done points to small refugiums being pointless...

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