Sump configuration question - do I need a refugium?

[nerdwolf]

I'm rebooting a 57g rimless tank previously owned by my mom, and I'm currently focused on cleaning up the sump. It's a DIY acrylic one I built based on Melev's model "F", with a drain/intake/skimmer on the left, return in the middle, fuge on the right (that overflows back into the return). I'm considering turning the fuge section into an ATO reservoir instead. I'm adding a biopellet reactor and have a good skimmer, so there shouldn't be much in the way of nutrients once those get going, right? Are there any benefits of a fuge that can't be duplicated some other way?

 

[jtgordon20]

Since you will be adding the biopellets to go for low nutrients, the one thing that the fuge would benefit is copepod population. It would be the best safe place for copepods to reproduce. Can't think of a way to replicate that.
hopefully more will chime in and give more advice.
My $.02

 

[mixer911]

I agree with the above. Only benefit would be a safe haven for pods and sponges if you loaded it with liverock. Whats more important to you, a fuge or ATO is the question.

 

[nerdwolf]

That's a good point. If I had to choose one over the other I'd go with ATO because it'd keep the salinity from fluctuating too much, and I don't have any animals currently dependent upon the pod population in my tank. That said, either way I'm definitely keeping the ATO going - I just wanted to have the reservoir in the stand rather than next to it, and my mom didn't have much luck keeping stuff alive in there when it was a fuge.

 

[Dowtish]

Good choice! ATO is super important IMO. The fact you have the bio-pellets planned, the fuge would not serve as well as a nitrate reducer being that the pellets will be devouring your nitrates and phosphates. No need for the competition. I designed my sump with no fuge, but ended up adding a small acrylic box in the skimmer section for a dark cryptic fuge with LR rubble only. It is loaded with pods and sponges and the like.

How many gallons of water will fit in that section you are wanting to use as an ATO resevoir?

 

[david1]

Good choice! ATO is super important IMO. The fact you have the bio-pellets planned, the fuge would not serve as well as a nitrate reducer being that the pellets will be devouring your nitrates and phosphates. No need for the competition. I designed my sump with no fuge, but ended up adding a small acrylic box in the skimmer section for a dark cryptic fuge with LR rubble only. It is loaded with pods and sponges and the like.

How many gallons of water will fit in that section you are wanting to use as an ATO resevoir?

i agree no need for a fuge if ur runnig bio pellets just some live rubble rock