Triton Sump

[djbetterly]

So I'm having a new sump built and I wanted to start looking into what I will need for the refugium.

So here are my questions:

1. What type of substrate do I use?
   
2. What are the suggested macros to put in?
3. Should the flow be minimal, as in the natural progression the water takes through the sump?
4. Currently I run a full spectrum CFL, so either I'll need more of those, or I'll need to look into an LED for the light source. Any suggestions? Here's a bit from my research.
   
   1. Evergrow S2
   2. Reefbreeders Fuge-Lite
   3. Buildmyled.com

I appreciate your help!
Thanks!

 

[bwrag]

1. barebottomn
2 as many different varieties as can(i have a few nut chaeto is defiantly dominating
3. suggested is 10x turn over of dt volume
4. depending on area bml is good. but if not dead set on led i suggest hps. i switched over from t5 and my macros have to be trimmed weekly.

 

[djbetterly]

4. depending on area bml is good. but if not dead set on led i suggest hps. i switched over from t5 and my macros have to be trimmed weekly.

I don't follow the acronyms, bml, hps?

 

[zemuss]

You want a LED light with a 660 NM spectrum (Red). Reef Radiance have a few options and it isn't an arm and a leg.

I just would rather have 2 660 NM then 1 because the RED really grow the algae well.

 

[djbetterly]

Also, if its bare bottom, what will the macros secure to?

 

[zemuss]

well if you use cheato then it will not need to secure to anything.. free floats.

 

[djbetterly]

well if you use cheato then it will not need to secure to anything.. free floats.

Well that I know...but I'd like to have several different types of macros.

 

[bwrag]

Also, if its bare bottom, what will the macros secure to?

live rock

 

[zemuss]

If you want a few different types that use a coarse sand for plants like halmedia and mangroves. However with Mangroves you don't need sand you can let the roots flow freely. I currently have my mangroves in the egg crate over an over flow which is working good for me.

 

[djbetterly]

I'm just curious why people don't use sand? Isn't sand a good place to have good critters in addition to macros and live rock?

 

[bwrag]

I'm just curious why people don't use sand? Isn't sand a good place to have good critters in addition to macros and live rock?

I dont use sand because its one less thing to clean

 

[zemuss]

I have a ATS and Mangroves. The Cheato I did have as a third transport of nutrients died off due to the ATS. You can use sand if you want but not really needed for a refugium.

Can anyone link me to the TRITON method for SUMps? I wanna read what they suggest.

 

[djbetterly]

Try this https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?posts/2284316/

 

[RIReefer]

If you want a few different types that use a coarse sand for plants like halmedia and mangroves. However with Mangroves you don't need sand you can let the roots flow freely. I currently have my mangroves in the egg crate over an over flow which is working good for me.

Can u post a pic.

 

[twilliard]

Well that I know...but I'd like to have several different types of macros.

Good track to stay on!
Diversity
Get some small pieces of rock and use the small narrow plastic zip ties
My mangrove finally started to shoot a few leaves after 3 months of nothing lol it was a seed
Cute little guy

 

[zemuss]

I originally had 5 mangroves, one didn't sprout roots and withered away. All four remaining are doing good in my opinion but haven't sprouted and leaves. I like using the egg crate for the mangroves.. What are you using Twilliard?

 

[twilliard]

Hold on and I will show you!!

 

[zemuss]

Cool.. must have more mangroves lol

 

[twilliard]

I just floated him from day 1
The roots are making a good base on the bottom then I cut the foam away and let it sit freely.
Don't underestimate the root systems these make

 

[djbetterly]

What kind of lighting do you have @twilliard