Questions about refugiums

[jthomas0385]

I would like to set up a simple refugium for my 72 gallon. I have a wet/dry canister filter running on the tank, but was wondering if I could use a small aquarium, or even a plastic bin, to make a refugium. I really don't know anything about doing this, but wanted to know if it was possible to do without a sump. If so, what would I need? Thank you.

 

[bang guy]

Yes, it's possible. There are several ways depending on how you want to set it up. First I have some questions:
1 - What will be the goal of your refugium?
2 - Do you want the refugium to be level with the display, above the display, or below the display?
3 - Will you have light on your refugium or will it be dark?

 

[king_neptune]

a 10 gallon would make a small sized fug. doable for a DT that big. or you can get a little larger tank and make a multi chamber fuge w/lots of different filtration. I see 55 gal size on craigs list almost daily. keep your eyes open. they usually sell for $1 a gallon. or less.
personally if it were me id consider a 20gal long at least. but that doesntmean a 10 gallon fuge wouldn't work.

 

[jthomas0385]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2967519
Yes, it's possible. There are several ways depending on how you want to set it up. First I have some questions:
1 - What will be the goal of your refugium?
2 - Do you want the refugium to be level with the display, above the display, or below the display?
3 - Will you have light on your refugium or will it be dark?

The goal of the refugium would be higher water quality
I would like the refugium to be under the display
I could definitely put a light on the refugium if needed.

 

[bang guy]

At minimum you will need an overflow, return pump, plumbing and a container. The overflow will be the expensive part unless you're very good at working with acrylic.
If we're only looking at water quality and not an actual refuge, you may want to read the "Algae Scrubber" thread ---> https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/330606/mega-powerful-nitrate-and-phosphate-remover-replaces-skimmer-refugium-everything
This could be a good solution for what you are trying to accomplish. A salt bucket may work just fine as a container.

 

[jthomas0385]

That looks like a good idea. I don't know if I would be able to pull it off though.

 

[1buckeye_fan]

I'm new to all of this and would like to ask a question.
when you have a refugium would this be your primary filter for the tank?
sorry if it seems obvious but from what I've read it looks like this is the case.
is there a trick to the number and placement of baffles?

 

[eric b 125]

buckeye: there is no trick to the number and placement of baffles, just some pretty simple math. i suggest you start a thread where more people can chime in on your specific question. essentially the baffles are there to seperate compartments and diffuse the amout of bubbles going to your return pump, and are usually 1" apart and 1" from the bottom glass. the size of the sump's chambers depends on what you want to do with your sump and each compartment, what equipment you are using, how much evaporation you will have and also how much overflow room you will need in case your return plumbing creates a siphon if your pump should fail. its not as difficult as it seems, and the figures behind it are pretty easy.