Refugium Minimum

S

sharko88

So I want to build a sump but have very limited space. I will definately have a skimmer section. I want to have a refugium section as well but don't have the space to build one that is 10% volume of the main display tank. Should I just skip the refugium then? Would it be worthless if it is less than 10% of the display tank?
 
Any chance you can put a cabinet next to the tank to conceal a larger sump? More space and larger water volume inside the sump is always better.
 
Depends on what you want to use it for.. it would make a great place for cultivating pods, but nitrate export would be minimal.
 
@Ashlar wrote:
Depends on what you want to use it for.. it would make a great place for cultivating pods said:
Well how about this idea then. When I build this thing out with just a skimmer section/bubble trap/Return, I have a return section that is 10.75"L x 12"W x 9"T

What if I put some egg crate in the return section to make a place for some cheato to grow (about half the return section). Will that work to for nitrate export?

According to the Reef Central volume calc that would be 5 gallons (for 10.75x12x9) in the return section. My display tank is a 58 gallon tank. Probably 50 gallons after you figure in a 4 inch sand bed and 80 lbs of Live Rock.

I am more interested in nitrate reduction instead of pod cultures.
Click to expand...
 
Well, any little bit will help, but you'll have to keep on top of turning / harvesting the chaeto to see much benefit.
 
Not a problem. Why would you not have to keep on top of trimming and turning it even in a fuge section that was 10% or more of the display tank anyways?
 
Is it possible to make the skimmer and return section the same and put a fuge next to it with a very small pump in the return section that pumps water into the refugium and overflows back into the return section?
You might not have enough space but it might be easier to control the chaeto but you would have to keep on top of the evaporation issues.
 
Evaporation won't be an issue because I am using egg crate as a divider. It essentially is a large return area with a "fenced" in portion for the cheato only (no sand or LR).
 
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