Question about refugium

[walter]

Ok, so I dont have a lot of tank real estate so I was thinking about doing the following.

 

Get a sealed box (minus the top) maybe like 2-3 gal and sit it inside my sump. fill it with a DSB and some plants/ cheato, etc. Have a light down there with opposite light schedule.

 

 

 

 

That way my current heaters are still doing their jobs with the need for additional pumps etc. Only concern would be the heat from the refug light.

 

Would that work?

[jamal]

that is what a hang on back refugium is. if you get a compact flourescent bulb that will help the heat.

[sheac12]

Ok, so I dont have a lot of tank real estate so I was thinking about doing the following.

 

Get a sealed box (minus the top) maybe like 2-3 gal and sit it inside my sump. fill it with a DSB and some plants/ cheato, etc. Have a light down there with opposite light schedule.

That way my current heaters are still doing their jobs with the need for additional pumps etc. Only concern would be the heat from the refug light.

 

Would that work?

 

I don't see why not. Have you figured out how you will plumb the Refug. into your sump? The DSB is a really good idea and a must in my opinion. For lighting I use a 6.7k 15W compact fluorescent light bulb from SYLVANIA and one of the cheap shop reflectors. I find that the light is great for cheato growth and does not affect the temperature of the tank.

[sheac12]

Sorry I dont know why I keep double posting.

Edited October 26, 2008 by sheac12

[reefmontalvo]

Your original idea will work. Or you could install a few baffles then on the larger side of the sump put a DSB and the plants you want. I currently run that type setup in my tank. I have the pump and skimmer on one end the DSB, live rocks, heater, phosphate/ carbon reactor and light on the other end. It's not as crowded as your thing. I even placed some dietrevores in there such as bristle worms, serpant stars and a few hermits. Things are just fine in the refugium/sump.

[walter]

Your original idea will work. Or you could install a few baffles then on the larger side of the sump put a DSB and the plants you want. I currently run that type setup in my tank. I have the pump and skimmer on one end the DSB, live rocks, heater, phosphate/ carbon reactor and light on the other end. It's not as crowded as your thing. I even placed some dietrevores in there such as bristle worms, serpant stars and a few hermits. Things are just fine in the refugium/sump.

 

 

My problem is my heaters. They are long and rather non-sleak looking, so they sit in my sump. I could do the baffles but i suck at that stuff and im trying to do this on a budget (lol. SW on a budget, i know). Doing it this way allows me to keep every thing where it is at without getting a bigger sump.

 

I don't see why not. Have you figured out how you will plumb the Refug. into your sump? The DSB is a really good idea and a must in my opinion. For lighting I use a 6.7k 15W compact fluorescent light bulb from SYLVANIA and one of the cheap shop reflectors. I find that the light is great for cheato growth and does not affect the temperature of the tank.

 

 

I dont need to plumb anything. I will just place the box in the middle of the sump. The weight of the sand will keep in on the bottom. As water flows into the sump it also flows into the "refug"

Edited October 26, 2008 by walter

[zygote2k]

Why not use the 'fuge light as a heat source? That way you can eliminate a heater.

[walter]

Why not use the 'fuge light as a heat source? That way you can eliminate a heater.

 

 

Ill have to see if it heats it enough. Right now my sump has a led light (only so I can see what Im doing). I will use a clip on lamp with a 6500 bulb for the fuge. So during the day Ill still have to use the led light. After 8 I can use the 6500 light.

 

BTW. how deep is deep? 3" deep enough?

Edited October 26, 2008 by walter

[sheac12]

Ill have to see if it heats it enough. Right now my sump has a led light (only so I can see what Im doing). I will use a clip on lamp with a 6500 bulb for the fuge. So during the day Ill still have to use the led light. After 8 I can use the 6500 light.

 

BTW. how deep is deep? 3" deep enough?

 

I believe most people say a DSB is 4-6" deep, but I could be wrong.

[sheac12]

Ill have to see if it heats it enough. Right now my sump has a led light (only so I can see what Im doing). I will use a clip on lamp with a 6500 bulb for the fuge. So during the day Ill still have to use the led light. After 8 I can use the 6500 light.

 

BTW. how deep is deep? 3" deep enough?

 

I believe most people say a DSB is 4-6" deep, but I could be wrong.

[walter]

I believe most people say a DSB is 4-6" deep, but I could be wrong.

 

 

Thats ok. After adding the sand, it came out to 4"