Too big of a Refugium?

[RobertP]

Is it possible to have too big of a refugium? I figure bigger is better but I ask because I have a small fuge (1o gal) on my current 130 gal reef and my nitrates are 0-.25. The cheato is an eating machine and grows like crazy in my sump. I do see a slight rise when I harvest cheato. I had to start dosing potassium nitrate to get it up to 4-5. Yeah I know this is one of those good problems.

Since I am weird and enjoy fuge watching I really want to add a large (80+ gal) fuge. I know if you have more cheato it will just eat more nitrates and I would have to dose more. Is that the only issue?

Have seen plenty of builds where guys have giant tubs for refugiums and I know that it is relative to the amount of system water. I assume it is not a big deal but wanted to see what others thought.
Thanks.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Usually bigger is better. Typically nutrients are dependant on the fish bioload, frequency of water changes, and frequency of feeding. Also filtration can be a factor. If you have bio media that is reducing nutrients, that will impact a reduction in nitrates.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I don't believe you can go to big. As your nutrients deplete your chaeto will self regulate so some room may go unused. But better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it

 

[JoshuaRock]

I too am interested in the communities opinion on this. My wife and I are very new to this hobby and currently have an algae turf scrubber but have been wanting to do a proper Refugium. Hope you don’t mind, but I’m coming along for the ride. Of course in your situation if you want a bigger fuge it may justify needing more aquarium LOL. Best of both worlds, bigger/more tanks to support your Refugium!

 

[RobertP]

I know my Lifereef skimmer is the bomb but only using GFO and carbon so no biopelets are needed. I feed flake and pellets in the morning and 2-3 frozen cube in the evening. I have about 15 fish and do feed the corals. Just cant see feeding more than this because the fish seem happy.

And yes, this is for general information. We are in the planning stages of building a house and would like to get at least a 300 display. She is in love with sailfin tangs so want a tank big enough to watch them grow. Was thinking of converting part of the garage into a fish room so frag tank and large fuge. Of course she is also in love with the clownfish herem tank she has seen so they should bring up the nitrates!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes , a fuge can outcompete a DT.
But if you love it , just Balance the system to it.

IMO , if you have too much chato, you can't see the bugs.

 

[RobertP]

No kidding. I have to stay on top of my cheato or it is so packed it seems silly. I just need to harvest it more often to get the calerpa a chance. My tangs love a calerpa treat!