refugium how big?

S

suboc

Is there a rule of thumb to the size of refugium/sump to the size of the tank? I know bigger is better. Im setting up a 210 and was going to use a 47 gallon wet dry converted in to a refugium the refugium space is about 30 gallons. Is this sufficiant?
 
Hi most people will tell you as big as will fit in the stand, but I have always though you have to be able to take it out without taking the stand apart. Of coarse you will know if the sump part is too small the first time the power goes out and sump overflows. That can be fixed with a smaller return pump but thats a little late. I would thing that size should be OK but there are lots of variables.
You asked Joe
 
I would say IMHO that a 30 on a 210 is to small as I have a 40g on my 90g. I would go as big as you can under the stand. It would not be a good idea to make it a fuge just incase you ever need to pull the pipe you would not be able to but to the sand and rock rubble you would have in there.
 
That sump size seems a bit small for your large tank. For your 210g tank, you can get a used 75g-90g and put some baffles in it. You really want to go as big as possible, but leave some room for other equipment such as reactors. Bigger is better as long as its functional. Refugiums should be about 25% of the water volume, but smaller is ok. It just serves as an area for macro algae and pod populations to multiply without predation. You can even find some great used sumps if you look in the right places !! Maybe Marc (Melevs Reef) can help you out.
 
@suboc wrote:
Another question is said:
I chunked some chaeto to see if it would grow in the overflow box, but the chaeto did not have good growth and I had to constantly clean the debris out. I was also worried that the chaeto would clog up my drain line and all that water would overflow out of the main tank. So I ended up taking it out.
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@suboc wrote:
Another question is said:
I tried it when I first got in the hobby the macro algae just died.

Build the biggest sump that will fit your needs. I personally like putting all my eqpt in my sump just in case it starts leaking. Ie Kalk reactor, ca reactor and media reactors


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Hey guys thanks for the help, im sure ill be asking a ton of questions about refugiums. My last tank had a wet dry the tank was successfull but I guess a refugium is the way to go. now i just need to find a 100 gallon tank with a 72x18 foot print. and a good design for a home built fuge. Thanks again guys.
 
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