Refugium Size Effectiveness:

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tony91lx

Guest
Can a 5 gallon fug help reduce nitrates or is it going to be to small for a 40 gallon tank?
I just don’t have the room for anything bigger, unless I make something out of acrylic.
Was going to go with a ½ sand bend some small pieces of LR and some chaeto.
Any thoughts?
 
d12monkey

d12monkey

Member
I don't know exactly how effective it'll be. But it will bring down your nitrates and nitrites. I'd prob just use the macro algae in there instead of the live rock... maximize the nutrient export.
 
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tony91lx

Guest
anyone else?
:notsure:
I have a 20 gallon that I may try and see if I can squeeze under the tank, and combine both the wet/dry and fuge, but I will be reducing the size of the wet/dry and the amount of bio-balls that I have, but will give me a larger fuge area.
Larger, fuge with more live rock or bio balls?
The 20 may be to big need to look at it more.
 
d12monkey

d12monkey

Member
Most people will tell you to stay away from the bio balls. I personally have two tanks one has bio balls and the other has live rocks in them. I think that the liverocks will be a better deal as they'll help with production of pods. Good coral and fish food.
 
shoreliner11

shoreliner11

Active Member
Yes a 5 gallon fuge would help a 40gal. How much is tough to say but if you're contemplating on doing it or not, I'd say go for it hands down. You'll probably notice quite a big difference in algae growth in the display once its plumbed and running. Obviously bigger means you can grow more alge but you make do with what you have. If you can't fit the 20, go with a 10. As for the wet dry...toss it out. Wet dries with bioballs can actually help keep nitrates up in a reeftank. Add plenty of lr to the fuge and stay with that.
 
hariii2

hariii2

Member
Hey, I have a 5 gallon fuge on my 100 gallon tank. My nitrates are 0. I will post a pic of it tomorrow. It is one of those 5 gallon hexagon shaped fish tanks. I have a 15 watt bulb, don't remember the maker, but it is suposed to be 65 watt output, half is actinic and the other half is 10K. I leave it on 24/7. I have about 3 inches of sand and some pieces of live rock, and cheato. Pods are growing in there like crazy. HTH.:D
 
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tony91lx

Guest
That little hex would fit nice, under my tank.
I am running the same sump as well.
Thanks
 
hariii2

hariii2

Member
It works well for me. I have a little pump in the sump that goes over to the fuge. I have a valve on it to really limit the flow, part because the overflow drain back to the sump is a small line, and part because I have heard that fuges need very little flow. It must be true because my chemistry has never been better. I can add some more pics of the whole setup if you want to see it. Got the light from PetSmart. Coraline something.
 
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