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Need advice for building my first fuge.

post #1 of 6
2/21/12 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 

I'm building my first fuge under my 75 FOWLR, it currently has a wet/dry sump with a protein skimmer in it, about the size of a 10 g. tank. I'm going to add a 10 or 20 gal tank for my fuge (under the tank next to the wet/dry) and would appreciate some opinions on a few things.

 

Questions:

 

Shoud I go: Tank ->  Fuge -> Wet/Dry -> Tank   OR  Tank -> Wet/Dry -> Fuge -> Tank

 

Does it really make a big difference either way?

 

If I run straight into the fuge, should I use any type of filter or just let the water run right into it (I'll probably use the over under baffle deal)?

 

How important are the over/under/over baffles?

 

If I buy a cheap tank with a hood and lighting (think Walmart), is that enough lighting or should I suppliment it with some Home Depot light action, suggesgtions?

 

My plan is 5-6" of sand, chunk of LR, 15 hours of light, some chaeto, and no CUC (snails, crabs, etc.) sound about right?

 

Thanks!

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post #2 of 6
2/21/12 at 1:02pm

Don't forget the sump where the return pump is also.

 

I would recommend the only thing before the sump be the refugium with the exception of any skimmer.  The skimmer  should go after the fuge but then I also recommend you not use a skimmer.  The idea is to get the tank stuff to the refugium then let the skimmer remove whatever is left.

 

by contrast the wet dry before the refugiums allows things to break down to nitrates they feed the algae in the fuge.

 

So

 

tank->wet/dry->refugium->sump->tank

 

(the sump should also be a smaller container setperate from the fuge so the water leven in the fuge is constant but varies in the sump for easier adjustment and more volume in the refugium)

 

 

my .02

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post #3 of 6
2/21/12 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 

Okay just so I'm clear, the skimmer HAS to go after the refugium?

 

Thanks for the help!

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post #4 of 6
2/21/12 at 1:57pm



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBillyV View Post

Okay just so I'm clear, the skimmer HAS to go after the refugium?

 

Thanks for the help!


Naaaa not really.

 

Just what made sense to me.  but then I emphasize the macro algae anyway.

 

nothing is hard and fast in the hobby.


besides I don't use a skimmer. 

 

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post #5 of 6
2/22/12 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 

Bump

 

It's go time so if anyone else has an opinion about the protein skimmer going before or after the refugium please chime in.

 

Thanks!

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post #6 of 6
2/22/12 at 6:16pm

Really depends how you want it laid out.....skimmer after the fuge, you might loose a few pods, but IMHO I don't think it's a major deal, but personally I'd prefer it before, where it's being fed possibly the rawest; dirtiest water possible......

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