I currently have a Red Sea Max e 260 + sump add-on + DIY refugium set up as a mixed reef tank and it's running successfully so far (around 9 months old now). Yes, before I get any further, I'm fairly new - I'm planning ahead because any equipment/tanks/cabinets/etc I buy now I want to still be using in a few years time. This would be a long term project.
I have a Fluval Flex 123 that I'm currently using as a QT but eventually I'd like to turn it into a FOWLR predator tank - likely with a valentini puffer as the centerpiece. From what I've read a valentini can get by in a 30 gal tank but water stability/quality is going to be a concern so I'm thinking about ways to improve stability and export nutrients.
I really like the idea of a display refugium to export nutrients and to showcase things I can't put in a mixed reef (or in with a puffer as they'll get eaten) - maybe a mangrove, various macroalgae, crabs, anenomes, etc. I could plumb the FOWLR + refugium together onto one sump but as I started considering the cost I realised I could instead plumb all three tanks together into one large sump and save a fortune on equipment and loads of time on maintenance. I also already have a GHL profilux running ATO + AWC among many other things - I'd like to get the most out of this expensive bit of gear and so the idea of one big system is especially appealing.
The downsides that come to mind:
- risk of disease
- tank crash / equipment failure hitting multiple tanks at once
- predator tank waste overwhelming the reef tank
- waste of reef salt/additives on a FOWLR tank (though I assume the FOWLR tank won't really use up the additives)
- unable to treat fish diseases because of the inverts in the system (but this is a risk with the display refugium anyway and I will of course have a QT/hospital tank as well)
- need to size sump to handle water from so many tanks/pipes
Upsides:
- no need to buy duplicate equipment
- increased water volume and stability for all 3 DTs
- reduced maintenance (only need to test 1 tank, AWC covers all tanks at once, etc - this is the big one for me)
- reduced power use - 1x return, 1x skimmer, etc, which is also big as I'm in Germany and power is painfully expensive
Plan would be to put the Fluval 123 and the display refugium onto one big custom cabinet alongside the Max 260 and build a large DIY sump underneath, likely with inlets on either side and a single return pump chamber in the center. Plumbing the 260 into the new sump will be a little tricky but I think achievable - and then I can remove the current sump and use the space for other gear or a remote DSB or something. I'm hoping that I can keep the need for WC to a minimum with a large refugium so there won't be too much reef salt wasted on the FOWLR.
Interested in feedback on the plan - am I underestimating the waste output from a predator tank? Is it realistic for one large display refugium to export that many nutrients (I'm thinking at least 30-40 gallons)?
Most importantly - does anyone have experience with a setup like this or any advice? Would love to see photos!
I have a Fluval Flex 123 that I'm currently using as a QT but eventually I'd like to turn it into a FOWLR predator tank - likely with a valentini puffer as the centerpiece. From what I've read a valentini can get by in a 30 gal tank but water stability/quality is going to be a concern so I'm thinking about ways to improve stability and export nutrients.
I really like the idea of a display refugium to export nutrients and to showcase things I can't put in a mixed reef (or in with a puffer as they'll get eaten) - maybe a mangrove, various macroalgae, crabs, anenomes, etc. I could plumb the FOWLR + refugium together onto one sump but as I started considering the cost I realised I could instead plumb all three tanks together into one large sump and save a fortune on equipment and loads of time on maintenance. I also already have a GHL profilux running ATO + AWC among many other things - I'd like to get the most out of this expensive bit of gear and so the idea of one big system is especially appealing.
The downsides that come to mind:
- risk of disease
- tank crash / equipment failure hitting multiple tanks at once
- predator tank waste overwhelming the reef tank
- waste of reef salt/additives on a FOWLR tank (though I assume the FOWLR tank won't really use up the additives)
- unable to treat fish diseases because of the inverts in the system (but this is a risk with the display refugium anyway and I will of course have a QT/hospital tank as well)
- need to size sump to handle water from so many tanks/pipes
Upsides:
- no need to buy duplicate equipment
- increased water volume and stability for all 3 DTs
- reduced maintenance (only need to test 1 tank, AWC covers all tanks at once, etc - this is the big one for me)
- reduced power use - 1x return, 1x skimmer, etc, which is also big as I'm in Germany and power is painfully expensive
Plan would be to put the Fluval 123 and the display refugium onto one big custom cabinet alongside the Max 260 and build a large DIY sump underneath, likely with inlets on either side and a single return pump chamber in the center. Plumbing the 260 into the new sump will be a little tricky but I think achievable - and then I can remove the current sump and use the space for other gear or a remote DSB or something. I'm hoping that I can keep the need for WC to a minimum with a large refugium so there won't be too much reef salt wasted on the FOWLR.
Interested in feedback on the plan - am I underestimating the waste output from a predator tank? Is it realistic for one large display refugium to export that many nutrients (I'm thinking at least 30-40 gallons)?
Most importantly - does anyone have experience with a setup like this or any advice? Would love to see photos!