[shermdawg]

So I am building a sump to house a refuguim and the other equipment in a 29 gallon tank with about 2/3 of it being dedicated to the 'fuge. I am going to be putting this sump/fuge on whats going to be a 20 gallon seahorse/reef tank.

So I am guessing the fuge to have about 13-16gallons in it when it all gets set up with an estimated size of about 16"x8.5" and a depth of about 12-14". I would like to put a 250w metal halide pendant on it as I have a lamp I am not using. Would the 250w be to much for that size of a fuge? If distanced a little would it be ok or is that way to much light on a lil space? The light is 20" and would only be over the fuge and baffles leading to fuge. Should I get a 150w setup to make sure everything in the fuge is ok?

As for contents on the fuge I plan on having about 3 or 4 inches of mud and about 20-30 lbs of live rock. I like having a strong metal halide light on this fuge because I plan on using this area to setup some corals that wouldn't be ok in the tank with the seahorses and also just to grow some more corals in as I plan on having larger reef setup sooner.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

A simple 75 watt bulb in a 5$ reflector is more than you need for a fuge.Putting a metal halide on a fuge isnt worth the waste of a bulb or the electricity to run it.

[e_baer]

Melevsreef.com - Refugium Bulb


Try to get some seagrass going in the fuge. With the 4" of mud/sand the grass will be able to thrive in there. Not only will the seagrass help with nutrient export, but seahorses would love it!

[shermdawg]

Yes I planned on seagrass or some sort of algae in the fuge. I am on a seahorse website getting advice as well and they all said you have to have a fuge going for the horses to give them some steady food and replicate their natural feeding.

As far as the lighting, is 75w enough to grow many corals in? I do plan on having some corals attached to the rocks in the fuge and letting them get hold and spread. This way when I put together another reef I have some rocks to throw in. But I hear you about the not wasting the power. So if something smaller can get the job done I will use it to power consumption down.

Thanks everyone.