Best way to approach this?

[bellaroxio]

Just purchased this new sump for my existing 200 gal tank with existing wet/dry.
If this is your setup, how would you compartmentalize this sump? With Mud, sand, algae…? I am very new to refugium.
Thanks for your help.

 

[flower]

I ws interesed in the answeres you would get, so before it gets lost...BUMP!

 

[nikesb]

wherever your drain is should also be close to your refugium that you are going to set up. the next chamber after the refugium is where the skimmer should go

 

[ryancw01]

I would stay away from the mud. It is expensive and when you have to change it out it is very messy. I used miracle mud for a while and it worked fine, but was so expensive I switched permanentely to fine sand and that seems to work fine also. If you want to do this a little on the cheap, a 6500K flood light from the 'Depot' works great as a refugium light. One thing with having a large refugium is that it reduces the need for a sand bed any deeper than 1 inch in the display so that is something to think about also.

 

[bellaroxio]

Ok. Let me jump start this. How is this approached?
Refugium side: 1" sand from existing tank, rocks from existing wet-dry, plants, store bought bacteria, and 6500K flood light - any improvement?
My skimmer is 4 feet above the sump - same height as the tank - good idea?

 

[acrylic51]

Is your skimmer a HOB or in sump model? I would vote against the miracle mud....No real advantage IMO...fuge with sand and macro would be just fine.

 

[bellaroxio]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3282790
Is your skimmer a HOB or in sump model? I would vote against the miracle mud....No real advantage IMO...fuge with sand and macro would be just fine.
Time to laugh. I have no idea. This is the picture. As mentioned, it will be at tank level (4 ft above the sump).