Refugium yes or no

Jason aguila

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I am in the middle of a build 50gal shallow 4'x2'x10" 40gal breeder sump bubble Magus BM 100se skimmer BRS dual GFO & carbon reactor. with that being said should I add a refugium to this system? I will mainly grow SPS but have a few mixed lps an a few softies. this is my first truly dedicated frag system. an want the best results. if you would like any more info on the system LMK. I'm looking for some solid info preferably with personal experience with a similar system. thanks happy reefing
 

Reefer40b

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well to me a fuge is a good thing just means less or no need for gfo use and is an awesome pod farm! Just use a good properly sized light for your application. I use a kessil A150 for my 40b/20l setup and a mars aqua 300 for my 180/40b setup.
 
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Jason aguila

Jason aguila

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well to me a fuge is a good thing just means less or no need for gfo use and is an awesome pod farm! Just use a good properly sized light for your application. I use a kessil A150 for my 40b/20l setup and a mars aqua 300 for my 180/40b setup.
thanks for your input. I'm working on a few designs to fit a refugium in. as I'm going to run 2 1" drains skimmer an internal return. I'll post pics of my designs
 
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Jason aguila

Jason aguila

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this is a rough sketch. now I'm thinking if I want a deep sand bed or just get some chato rolling. I personally think I can split the refugium chamber in half lengthwise have chato on one side an sand an rock rubble on the other side. any thoughts on that idea?

20180511_120044.jpg
 

madweazl

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If you already have the GFO reactor, you may be fighting yourself with the addition of a refugium (both leveraged to remove phosphate). The refugium brings some other benefits to the tank in the form of pH boosts at night (provided they're lit during this period) and a place for pods to multiply. There are some fantastic macro-algae out there that are quite beautiful as well. On the negative side, they require an additional purchase in regard to lighting (can be simple and inexpensive with clip on fixtures employing CFLs or quite spendy with certain LEDs).
 
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Jason aguila

Jason aguila

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If you already have the GFO reactor, you may be fighting yourself with the addition of a refugium (both leveraged to remove phosphate). The refugium brings some other benefits to the tank in the form of pH boosts at night (provided they're lit during this period) and a place for pods to multiply. There are some fantastic macro-algae out there that are quite beautiful as well. On the negative side, they require an additional purchase in regard to lighting (can be simple and inexpensive with clip on fixtures employing CFLs or quite spendy with certain LEDs).
yes I do have the reactor already. after weighing in on my thoughts an feed back. I may stick with I'm initial plan for the sump (I'll post a pic have to find the drawing) an not grow an chato/macro. an just add some bio media for a safe haven for pods ECT. my personal thoughts were to have a clean sump as to where I can just vacume it out for water changes. I already run GFO IN my other system. but if love to get some chato rolling. I'm tossed
 
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Jason aguila

Jason aguila

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I love refugiums and just added a display one too. They can be beautiful with different macros and the algae assists so much in water quality.

0193c1b82c3f849a40d2f451f18d24fd.jpg


8decc08128dbd8d110fe5f569aa081ea.jpg


I believe your setup will do great! Nice job, I really enjoy seeing other reefers share their builds [emoji4]
very nice I like your display fuge. as much as I was thinking of shying away from one I'm going to come up with a final drawing an get this cut to get this ball rolling. I like your milly in the refugium also. nice job
 

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very nice I like your display fuge. as much as I was thinking of shying away from one I'm going to come up with a final drawing an get this cut to get this ball rolling. I like your milly in the refugium also. nice job

Thanks so much! I ordered the macros from live-plants.com and added 2 pounds of their live sand too.
 

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I like the drawing and would defo run a fuge.
Until you get good growth on the macro algae you could run the reactors and eventally just use as required, IMO.
A frag tank shouldn't be as nutrient rich as in wastes that need removing.
Good luck! :)
 
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Jason aguila

Jason aguila

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I like the drawing and would defo run a fuge.
Until you get good growth on the macro algae you could run the reactors and eventally just use as required, IMO.
A frag tank shouldn't be as nutrient rich as in wastes that need removing.
Good luck! :)
TY I'm working on a final drawing. the equipment is a little oversized (skimmer) as I plan on adding a second low boy sometime in the future. seeing how this one holds up.
 

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this is a rough sketch. now I'm thinking if I want a deep sand bed or just get some chato rolling. I personally think I can split the refugium chamber in half lengthwise have chato on one side an sand an rock rubble on the other side. any thoughts on that idea?

20180511_120044.jpg

I actually have mine set up the opposite of this. Socks>chaeto>rock rubble>skimmer.

I didn't want to strip nutrients out before the chaeto had a chance to feed on them.
 

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