Picking a refugium.

[slf125]

Hi, I am trying to choose a refugium to either replace my wet/dray on my 125g tank or supplement it. See the specs of my tank here: https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/342872/reviving-my-125g
I'm thinking It would be difficult to do a 2 pump system so I am thinking about getting the Reefugium(spelled correctly) EcoSystem kit from the Drs. The one rated for 300 gallons. I have HIGH nitrates ( 100). However not so good amm(.25 but the tests are dated) so im hesitant to get rid of the bio-balls.
Any help would be good.
Jake

 

[slf125]

anyone?

 

[mboswell1982]

y not build one yourself? just buy a used 75 or 55g tank, an install the baffles in it, there's several threads on here about building sump/refugiums, its not hard, in theory at least

 

[dennis210]

A refugium will help a system, but sorry I have to ask - ever thought of tossing the bioballs. They are doing exactly what there design is - to rapidly break down ammonia and nitrites to nitrates. Try replacing them with live rock or live rock rubble.

 

[slf125]

Problem is I have Nitrate sat 100 and ammonia at .25 so I am hesitant about getting rid of the wet/dry. I am terrible at DIY so a hand made refugium is doubtful. Will look ito it though.

 

[culp]

with nitrates that high you should really think about doing large water changes. i would say that you should do a 20% water change every 5 to 7 days until you get the nitrates down to below 20. also i would replace the bio balls with live rock. and if you want to keep nitrates down you could consider buying a Korallin BioDenitrator that would probably work wonders on your tank.

 

[kanima]

Get a ADHI one, they are expensive, but are made of thicker , stronger and smarter.

Just shop around for the cheapest price, I put the model 30 on my 90, make sure you got all your measuremnets right.

 

[slf125]

Now do you think the ADHI will be ok replacing the wet/dry even with the amm.? Same for the BioDenitrator

 

[slf125]

Looked at the BioDenitrator, looks great, then again... would they make it look bad? Any testimonials? Would I be better with a fuge? any other suggestions?
Jake

 

[kanima]

Thats what i did, had a wet dry, was looking at trying to convert it to a sump but it just wasn't built to do it, thin constructed flimsy. What I did basicly was remove half of my bio balls about 2 weeks before i got the ADHI. That saturday I drained probably 30 gals of tank water out so i could slide the 90 out and put the ADHI in had to go in from the back. I added my sand and live rock rubble the same day that and redoing pluming. Took alot longer than I thought for sure. But never looked back.
Three things will happen doing this way.
1. 30 % water change will help lower the Nitrates
2. adding an extra 30 gals to total volume of tank water will help dilute them further.( actualy your stand size you should be able to go to a bigger fuge to fit under it).
3. Adding live rock rubble and sand will help with the amo break down.
Then you can add cheato to it to help export even more.
Just remember to think things through, like pumps, pluming hose barbs etc. etc.

 

[slf125]

sounds like you did good. Dont know if I can do that, 125g is surrounded on 3 sides by walls, very difficult to slide it out. The stan has 3 doors in it though, may be able to get it through one of them.

Jake