refugium flow

[jamie1010]

it seems to me the rate of water flow should not matter. as long as the macro algae is growing. if its growing its using all the nitrogen it can right? id think slow flow would make it possible for algae to starve itself of nitrogen. i keep on reading in past posts how water flow should be slow. am i wrong or can flow be as fast as you want without washing algae away???? please explain

 

[mr . salty]

You need the water flow as slow as possible to maximise the contact time with the algae.Algae doesn't instantly eat the nitrates.It takes time.Slow water flow(less than 100gph) gives it that time...

 

[jamie1010]

ok, i grew hydroponicly for a few years and nutrient flow never made a difference if the plant wants a nutrient its there it doesn't take along time to absorb it. im really interested in others input because id like to use as few pumps as i can.id like to use a bigger one for a return.

 

[jamie1010]

has anyone ever tried a fast flow or does everyone just do what someone else told them??

 

[mini-reefer]

I set mine up at 170gph with the head on my return pump. All is well. To each his own I guess.

 

[lettheirberock]

i keep mine at 60gph

 

[jamie1010]

i was thinking of 500 gph for a 75 gallon tank with a 55 gallon refugium. i guess im going to try it unless someone can tell me they already did and it didnt work.

 

[ebeckels]

how long will it take for the refugium to kick in??? I've had my cpr aquafuge up and running for about 2 months...the macro algae hasn't really grown yet. I have about 5 inches of LS and a lot of LR rubble. the light is a standard 29 gallon light fixture.

 

[mr . salty]

What is your flow rate??? This is where a FAST flow comes into play.If the water flow through the algae too quickly,you may never see any denitrafication from it......My refugium started bringing nitrates down almost overnight.By the end of week one they went from over 100ppm to 40.It took three weeks to get them to zero,and have never gotten over 10 since then...I run mine at about 50GPH,and lights on 24/7.There is so much algae in the 10 gallon tank,that you can NOT see an inch into it.....

 

[thereefer]

I have had mine running over 300gph. With a LOA 65watt power compact from Walmart. Levels are at zero. Plants grow like mad. The whole refugium sits right in my 50 gallon sump. Works like a champ. I run the light for 14 hours a day

 

[marine qa]

I have a fast flow rate,(46g tank w/ 500gph pump in 20g sump) my sumps caulerpa growns like mad and I have never had nitrates since the sump was established.
Based on the experience I've had with my sump, your 75 gallon tank with a 55 gallon refugium and 500 gph pump would probably work very well.
It is important to note that I also have a low bioload, 2+ lbs LR per gallon, 4-6 inches of LS in the tank and sump, and a large skimmer.
Good Luck.

 

[dwf]

I'm running about 5-600 gph. I tried 1200 gph as the ecosystems people recommended but my refugium couldn't drain fast enough. I just started running it today. I'll be planting algae next week. I'm using ecosystem's "miracle mud" as a substrate. <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />