FAQs about Refugium Designs
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Related Articles: Get Thee To A Refugium by Bob Fenner, Refugia: What They're
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Related FAQs: Refugium Designs 1, Refugium Designs 2, Refugium Designs 3, Refugium Designs 4, Refugium Design 5, Refugium Design 6, Refugium Design 7, Refugium Design 8, Refugium Design 9, Refugium Design 10, Refugium Design 11, Refugium Design 12, Refugium Design 13 & Refugiums 1, Refugiums 2, Refugiums 3, Refugiums 4, Refugiums 5, Refugiums 6, Refugiums 7, Refugiums 8, Refugiums 10, Refugiums 11, Refugiums 12, Refugiums 13, Refugiums 14, Refugium
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Will It Work?? DIY Refugium with
Graphic. 2/6/07 Good evening Crew!!
<Hello Jeff, Mich is your crew member tonight!> I come to you
yet again for your priceless help! I am wanting to build
a refugium for my FOWLR 55 gal DT. I am currently using
an old wet/dry system that has live rock in place of the bio
balls. My tank parameters are normal - 0 ammonia - 0
nitrites - 5.0 ppm or less nitrates - 8.2 ph - 1.025 SG - temp 78 -
calcium is running about 325 - .5 or less phosphates in
tank and water supply (no RO/DI unit yet...but want one real bad)
<It's a beautiful thing!> My biggest problem in hair
algae and BG Cyano...I can't seem to get rid of
it. Another problem is that the coralline algae just
will not spread well. I am hoping the addition of a
refugium will help out on both parts. <Hopefully!> I have
attached a drawing of a possible refugium for you to ponder
over. Do you think this will work?
<Yep. Looks good to me!> I designed it to fit
under my DT as that is about the only place I have to put
one. Like most, I have a limited budget to work with,
but still want to do the best I can for my tank.
<Understandable.> As always...your input is valued and
appreciated. Thank you! Sincerely,
Jeff |
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External Sump Design 2/4/07 Hello to all the
crew, <Greetings, Kevin. GrahamT here tonight.>
I
have recently found your web site and it is amazing. I am reading
like mad and just scratching the surface of your wide ranging
information. I've been a marine/reef keeper for 18 years, but I
am getting loads of great new information from your site, many
thanks. <That's good to hear, K.> I have just
started to build a new display aquarium (380 Litres / 83.5 UK
Gallons / 100.38 US Gallons) and it will have an external sump. The
display tank and stand are in situ and the bare tank for the sump
has arrived. So before I proceed with the sump fit out I would
really welcome your views on its design, especially as this is my
first attempt at a refugium. Please see attached diagram. <I see
it, and I wanted to start with a congratulations on the
completeness of your design and mastery of the program you use(d)
to create this wonderful diagram! I like a lot of this setup,
including the overflow protection, and the provision for easy
water-changes. I have a few notes for you, though I don't see a
need for changes of any sort. The first note regards regular use of
the skimmer in conjunction with the mud in your refugium. There is
information available ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mudfiltrfaqs.htm )that lends
support to the theory that skimming reduces planktonic organisms
that inhabits the mud. If the mud is being employed in this system
as just a beneficial substrate in the refugium, then this is not a
concern. My other note involves the absence of a macro-algae of
some sort in your refugium. Is this a deliberate omission, or were
you as yet undecided as of the "publish-date" of the
diagram? This system looks like a truly envious home-approach for
reef-keeping, and rivals some of the service accounts I help
maintain in very well-off people's homes. Congrats, and good
luck! P.S. I will send this through Bob for any additional comments
(For example: possible omission of UV with the use of mud, etc).
-GrahamT.> Any and all views welcome. Thanks again
Kevin Cheshire, England |
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P.S. I will send this through Bob for any additional
comments (For example: possible omission of UV with the use of mud,
etc). <Mmm, nothing really to add that you haven't addressed
Graham. I definitely would add the macroalgae as mentioned, and I
would not be concerned re running a skimmer in conjunction with the
Mud... Years back Leng Sy and I had quite a few discussions re
fractionator use and his MM... he now sells such together.
BobF> |
External Sump Design (Follow-up) 2/5/07
Graham, Bob, <Kevin...> Thanks for the quick reply and the
positive comments. <You are welcome, Kevin. I really *DO* love
that diagram!!!> As you probably guessed, the refugium is
additional filtration to the display tanks live rock and I will
definitely be using macro algae as you suggest. <Excellent.
[Steepled fingers...]> Re the skimming, experience shows me that
it really does remove significant amounts and so I wanted to keep
it in my system. I had read that it could impact the refugium, but
decided that the benefits outweighed the downside. I did move it to
before the refugium instead of after, i.e. it was originally to be
installed alongside the circulation pumps, my idea being that it
will now not directly remove any beneficial micro organisms until
after they have circulated round the display tank. Do you think
this makes any difference? <I totally agree, though some folks
still cycle it on/off, I think the efficiency of the skimmer at its
best when used constantly. Furthermore (Susan), I think your idea
of installing the skimmer pre-'fuge will keep the
fauna-skimming to an acceptable minimum.> Thanks again Kevin
Robson Cheshire, England <Good work, Kevin. FYI: Bob may still
chime in here, so check the dailies for this post -GrahamT> |
Re: External Sump Design 2/5/07 Graham, Bob,
Thanks for the quick reply and the positive comments.
<Welcome> As you probably guessed, the refugium is additional
filtration to the display tanks live rock and I will definitely be
using macro algae as you suggest. Re the skimming, experience shows
me that it really does remove significant amounts and so I wanted
to keep it in my system. I had read that it could impact the
refugium, but decided that the benefits outweighed the downside.
<Agreed... better to run on at least a punctuated (periodic)
schedule> I did move it to before the refugium instead of after,
i.e. it was originally to be installed alongside the circulation
pumps, my idea being that it will now not directly remove any
beneficial micro organisms until after they have circulated round
the display tank. Do you think this makes any difference? <Yes,
I do. BobF> Thanks again Kevin Robson Cheshire, England |
Re: External Sump Design (Final thoughts) 2/6/07
Greetings, Kevin. I forgot to elaborate about
the use of your U.V. sterilizer after the mud. If you are concerned
about the skimmer removing the micro-fauna before they get a chance to
migrate to your system, you should also be concerned about their travel
through your U.V. sterilizer. I have been flip-flopping on this one in
my head over the past few days, and I think it might make sense for you
to either, A) truncate your schedule of operation to allow some
downtime when the creatures can pass through unharmed, or B) plumb the
pickup to a spot before the 'fuge. Naturally, we aren't talking
about a huge percentage of the population being rendered DOA, rather a
"more than desiraable quotient." (How's that sound? ) As
always, Good luck and keep innovating! -GrahamT (in 5-degree Maine,
brrrr!)
Re: External Sump Design (Final thoughts pt.2)
2/7/07 Graham, <Kevin,> Thanks for the advice, I kick myself
for not considering this earlier as it aligns directly with the skimmer
positioning argument. <I was in the same boat, admiring your diagram
and it hit me like a ton of LR. Funny how that works, eh?> I have
adjusted the design accordingly and updated the attached diagram.
<Man, you truly are proficient at diagram-ing! Good show, sir.>
On my website RobsonOnline.com, I have a section on my previous tank
and on the journey of creating my new aquarium <Tried to view, but
got the ol' 404-error. Feel free to send some pics, as long as
multiples are kept below 200K and a single below 500K. Thanks for the
follow-up, as I'm sure these diagrams will be very useful for
others when they find them here on WWM! -GrahamT> Best Regards Kevin
Robson Tel: XXXX
External Sump Design (Final thoughts pt.3) 2/7/07
Graham, <K-man! How *DO* you do?> I will send some pictures as I
proceed with the build. <Excellent. will look forward to. I suggest
quoting some of our correspondence to help me remember you.> For now
try http://www.RobsonOnline.com - it might help now I've
provided the right format for the address (Doh!) <The site is up
now, I see it. One final final-thought: The current location of your
skimmer will also help minimize the little bubbles that may otherwise
end up returned to the main system. (Bonus) > Thanks again. <You
are most welcome, Kevin. My pleasure.> Best Regards <And to you,
GrahamT> Kevin Robson
Refugium baffles 1/27/07 <Hello,
Ed. GrahamT with you today.> I cant seem to locate the EPDM Foam
Rubber Weather Stripping that was used in creating baffles that can be
later moved. By Joshua McMullen. Can you help me ? Thanks Ed <I just
Googled "EPDM foam" and found: http://www.rubber-gaskets.com/foam-tapes.html among others...
GrahamT.>
Upgrading Reef Tank and Adding Refugium
1/16/07 Hi WWM crew. Excellent web site! Many
hours of great reading and wonderful information. I have a
65 gal. fish and reef tank that has been up for about 6 yrs. and would
like to upgrade it to provide better water quality and move into some
more difficult corals. Currently it has 70 lbs. of live rock
with about 1 in. of crushed coral in the front portion of the
tank. It has a 10 gal. sump with an old protein skimmer in
it that I plan to upgrade. Currently 2 fish (clown and
Pseudochromis). I also have an old 35 gal. tank
directly below the display in an unfinished basement. <Mmm,
possibilities...> I've been using the 35 gal.
for mix water to do water changes by opening a valve from the display
to drain to the sewer and then pumping new water up from the basement
to the display. I would like to convert the 35 gal. in the
basement to a refugium and have a couple of questions. Your
help would be greatly appreciated. <Okay... in what way?
A good deal of design, plumbing, pump input is posted...> Would it
be better to leave the skimmer in the 10 gal. sump in the stand and add
the refugium to the 35 gal. thereby having 2 circulation systems and
reducing the flow rate through the refugium (I have read that a gentle
flow is better), or do the skimming in the 35 gal. with a higher flow
rate through the refugium? <I'd have it in both, the former
choice> If I add a relatively large refugium to the 35 gal., say
2' long, 11' wide and 6' deep, what, ideally, would you do
with the substrate in the display? <Mmm, leave it as is... at the
about 1" depth> Should I beak down the display and add a DSB,
leave it as is, or break it down and add maybe ½' of
sand for sifters? <I'd place the DSB in the refugium below>
In the refugium if I want to have some variety in the substrate and
macro algae, such as some oolitic sand and some miracle mud, some
Chaetomorpha and some Gracilaria, would it be better to separate
compartments in the refugium with a vertical divider between them, or
mix them in layers in one section? <If the sump/refugium can be made
large enough, I'd leave all mixed together, with the exception of
the mud... which should be somehow arranged to not have "too
much" flow about it... in a sectioned off area. Bob Fenner>
Good Idea? Bad Idea?... Refugium des. Well
let me know what you all think of the picture attached. <Not
easy to make out> All equipment is of the "hang on type
accept for the sump pump. I have no idea where to buy the overflow
box or what kind. <Please read WWM re> Heard of making one
from two Lees specimen cups but cant find those. <Made in San
Diego... but not a good idea here> A LFS had a overflow he said
was $80.00 . NO WAY for plastic and tubes? <Yes
way> I was a department head at a nationwide home improvement
store in charge of kitchen cabs an plumbing. I know there's a
way around spending all this cash at LFSs. <Mmm, to back you up
a bit... I would not go the overflow box route if you can/could
avoid it... Through-hull fittings are what you really want>
Heck, I just figured out the Southdown sand thing too
late LOL. I think we should all start
homemaking things and watch the costs of simple items start to cost
like simple items. <Agreed> I realize starting with an empty
and dry tank would be the easiest way to make a Refug but I've
had all those lil amphys an coeppies growing for 3 years. Does
anyone think the Refug would benefit from having the whole bottom
attached to its compartment this way? <Don't know if I
understand what you're getting at here> Thanks
All Dave <Time to send you to take the long
read Dave... Here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm the files on
Refugium Design... below on Pump Selection... Bob Fenner> |
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