Refugium/Sump Questions

[tnt]

I just bought a 35g aquarium I want to build a refugium/sump set up out of it for my 55g but I have some questions first...
How big should I make the refugium section?
What is a bubble trap for and do I have to have one?
What type of silicone can I use to "glue" the partitions in?
What type of macroalgae works best?
Thanks for your help everybody!

 

[thegrog]

Make the refugium section as big as you can
Bubble traps (or baffles) are for keeping bubbles in the sump/fuge section, and you need one.
Use the Aquarium grade silicone. Can be found at most LFS or at Lowes. A little pricier than the 100% silicone (which can be used) but I just have better luck with it.
Gracillaria algae or cheatomorphia with mangroves
good luck!

 

[salty tank]

what are baffles? i just made a refugium last night and put up 2 plexi glass dividers with little holes in the plexy glass to let the water flow through. Will the effect anything?

 

[bchbum189]

i just made this, and once its gone down then up then down, then up agian there arent any bubbles left (area on the right). and i slightly slanted the last piece so that it wouldnt splash into the refugium area

 

[salty tank]

Originally Posted by salty tank
what are baffles? i just made a refugium last night and put up 2 plexi glass dividers with little holes in the plexy glass to let the water flow through. Will the effect anything?

does anybody know this answer? i dont see any bubble or what ever your talkin about

 

[carshark]

circled are baffles and what baffles do is prevent microbubbles, created by pumps and skimmers, why microbubbles are bad is because they are essentially toxic bubbles. thats what a skimmer does, it removes free floating toxins by inserting oxygen and essentially flush them out through these bubbles, the point is to remove the toxins, thats why you dont want microbubbles in your tank, not to mention it takes away from the good looks of the water by having tons of tiny toxic bubbles..

 

[salty tank]

My tank has two plexy glass walls with holes in the walls to let water pas through ( this is in the sump) i dont see any microbubles. Do you think this will eventually create these bubbles?

 

[bchbum189]

if it didnt at the start it shouldnt ever unless something doesnt work properly