Need advice on refuge setup.

stapler

stapler

Member
I have set up a 18g refuge for my 30g, and have a few questions.
First off, how many gph of flow will I need with my return pump.
Second, can I have the main return line break off into 4 smaller lines, where they can go to different sections of the tank?(see pic)
I plan on buying an overflow to send water down to the refuge.
Any comments?
 
kc36330

kc36330

Member
a fuge needs low water flow thourgh it. a hundred GPH for an 18g fuge would be about perfect.
if your using it as a sump with a skimmer you need about 6x tank volume.
hth
kc
 
stapler

stapler

Member
I was just going to hang the skimmer on the side of the refuge. I wanted to add a sump, but dont really want to take away from the LR, LS and macros to make room for my skimmer, and dont have room under my tank.
Thanks for your help
 
kc36330

kc36330

Member
you can do a few tricks to keep it a fuge and have high flow at the same time. you need to use baffles that make the water flow at the surface rather then throughout the fuge. to do this your baffle form the input zone needs to exit water at the top of the fuge (your skimmer needs to be in this section as well) and water to the return pump needs to have a baffle that draws its water from the surface. this will reduce flow deeper into the fuge and allow for a more peaceful area for macro growth.
hth
kc
 
stapler

stapler

Member
Yeah I think I am going to have to add some baffles...i wanted to just leave the whole tank open, but thats not going to work.
 
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