[Pilsner]

I had a 55 G reef tank from 96-98. Had good success.

I've never heard of a refugium before, and am curious as to the purpose. A place to grow food?

Also, I had a canister filter before, and separate protein skimmer with 2 power heads going. I take it there is no need for the canister filter nowadays?? I'm thinking of setting up a 125 or larger reef tank, but want to learn some more again before I set up again.

At work now... will fill in more details later...

Thanks in advance.
Chad

[alwmalon4]

Yes, a fuge is for growing food such as coepods and amphipods, but it also is a place where you can have extra measures for biological filtration such as more live rock, a deep sand bed, and/or macro-algae for nutrient export. I have a 20 gallon sump/fuge and it has worked wonders at lowering my nitrates to undetectable levels. It also just adds more water to your system, thus, making it more stable. IMO canister filters just really are not worth it. Good luck with everything! This forum is amazing and someone is always able to answer your question or show you where to find the answers. This site is also VERY helpful... Wetwebmedia, Aquarium, Pond, Marine and Freshwater Fish, reef tanks, and Aquatics Information.

[SweeTang22]

yeah i agree with alwmalon4. if your setting another reef up invest your money into the protein skimmer. getting the best one you can will help you keep your water at its best. also there is some new lighting technology out. its called t-5, t-5 HO, and t-5 VHO. the HO and VHO is were i would spend some more money. these lights are vrey bright and efficient. they can also increase lighting by almost 300% with there common 9 bend reflector. make sure each bulb has its own reflector though. otherwise everything you did in 96-98 will probably work. make sure you have a good source of RO water and get the LS and LR in and let it sit for a while. do research on the refugeum and get that going too. i had a problem with cyano or red slime and a refugium fixed the problem! good luck and keep us posted!

[Pilsner]

Thanks for the tips so far guys. I was working a midnight shift last night when I posted. Supervisor had just come in, so I had to go.

I had to sell the tank because I was in the Air Force and had just gotten orders to the Azores, Portugal. They limit what you can take with you when you go... lol.

At any rate, I had never considered a refugium. I will definitely be making it as part of my system now, instead of the old BIO balls...

I am moving to Omaha in April, and will more than likely wait until Omaha before I get my 125, as I have a feeling it will be a real bear to move. I am at the research phase now, and I am grateful to you guys for any advice you can give, like how much flow do I need, etc.

Also, my tank wasn't a sump, so if I do a sump, with a refuge underneath, how do I control my flow? I envision it to be something like this... water flows over the sump holes in the back left, down through a protein skimmer, into and through a refugium, and then gets pumped back up to powerheads? If so, how do you get the pumped water to all of your powerheads?

One more thing... Do I need to consider an undergravel filter? I assume not, as long as I have a few inches of live sand, and enough rock/critters to eat the waste?

How much live sand in the refugium? I was thinking 6 inches?

Thanks all!
Chad

[glampka]

For a better understanding of sumps/refugiums check out this site: Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums
Forget the undergravel filter. It's the last thing you want to put in your tank. 4 inches of sand would suffice.

[alwmalon4]

What worked for me is if you don't like the look of a deep send bed then you can have 2 or so inches of sand in the DT and then 4-6 inches of sand in the fuge. It wouldn't hurt though to have 4 or so inches of sand in both the DT and in the fuge...IMO.

[Abaco24]

Read the before you post section and google refugium

[Pilsner]

Decided to go with a 75 gallon tank... I happen to have a 20L sitting around that would make a perfect refugium with the addition of a few baffles.... So, I'm leaning that way.

I think 4 T5HO bulbs should do nicely. Thanks to you guys for the words of encouragement. I'll keep you posted.