Sump / refugium design

26-10-2005, 10:13 PM

Hi all,

I'm in the process of re-designing my sump. I have read throught several articles as well as the sticky threads on the topic. Seems like incorporating a refugium into the system is a good thing.

Thing is, is it better to have it as a stand alone or is it advisible to have it incorporated into the sump. I have come across designs that have the refugium in the sump's middle section after the mechanical filteration (first chamber) and before the skimmer/return chamber. Is the advisable?

Also for the refugium, I intend to use a corse coral stone underlay followed by a deep fine sand bed. as well as macroalgae complete with a PL tube for good measure. Is this fine?

All inputs are greatly appreciated.

**KaLiB** · 26-10-2005, 11:15 PM

By standalone, i'm assuming your referring to a refugium that is built on its own but connected to the maintank in 1 way or another. As for this, standalone or incorporated into the sump, its more or less up to the hobbyist. IMO, if you want a huge refugium, a standalone refugium could be a good idea as compared to a refugium incorporated into a sump. A refugium incorporated into the sump could have very limited space.

IMO, putting the refugium after the filter comparments and before the skimmer+return chamber is fine. For my setup, i have it after the mech+bio filter and before the return chamber. Due to some miscalculations, i ended up having my skimmer planted into the refugium which so far works out fine too.

A deep sand bed(DSB) in a refugium has limited effeciency as the surface area is significantly smaller than a DSB in the maintank. A DSB works well when there's more surface area so its better to have it in the maintank if possible. Of course, despite this, your idea of macroalgae+DSB is fine and would work.

27-10-2005, 10:16 PM

Bro nice 4ft tank, how much is it ? Tank alone & with all the equipments ?

27-10-2005, 11:02 PM

Thanks for the input bro, I think I will do something similar to your pics but will incorporate the skimmer and refugium in the sump. Mine is a 5ft x 20 inch x 2 ft tall tank, so I guess a 3ft all in one will surfice.

**KaLiB** · 28-10-2005, 06:00 PM

If you intend to follow, IMO, make the return chamber larger as it is a little small. Water has to be topped up every 2-3days to ensure the pump will not suck in air.

29-10-2005, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaLiB

If you intend to follow, IMO, make the return chamber larger as it is a little small. Water has to be topped up every 2-3days to ensure the pump will not suck in air.

Thanks, point noted. I had this problem with my previous design. I'm going with a double wall so the water level in which the skimmer is in will be stable.

01-11-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteice

Thanks, point noted. I had this problem with my previous design. I'm going with a double wall so the water level in which the skimmer is in will be stable.

a double wall? could you explain what that means?

26-10-2005, 10:13 PM	#1
whiteice Guest Posts: n/a	Sump / refugium design Hi all, I'm in the process of re-designing my sump. I have read throught several articles as well as the sticky threads on the topic. Seems like incorporating a refugium into the system is a good thing. Thing is, is it better to have it as a stand alone or is it advisible to have it incorporated into the sump. I have come across designs that have the refugium in the sump's middle section after the mechanical filteration (first chamber) and before the skimmer/return chamber. Is the advisable? Also for the refugium, I intend to use a corse coral stone underlay followed by a deep fine sand bed. as well as macroalgae complete with a PL tube for good measure. Is this fine? All inputs are greatly appreciated.

26-10-2005, 11:15 PM	#2
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	By standalone, i'm assuming your referring to a refugium that is built on its own but connected to the maintank in 1 way or another. As for this, standalone or incorporated into the sump, its more or less up to the hobbyist. IMO, if you want a huge refugium, a standalone refugium could be a good idea as compared to a refugium incorporated into a sump. A refugium incorporated into the sump could have very limited space. IMO, putting the refugium after the filter comparments and before the skimmer+return chamber is fine. For my setup, i have it after the mech+bio filter and before the return chamber. Due to some miscalculations, i ended up having my skimmer planted into the refugium which so far works out fine too. A deep sand bed(DSB) in a refugium has limited effeciency as the surface area is significantly smaller than a DSB in the maintank. A DSB works well when there's more surface area so its better to have it in the maintank if possible. Of course, despite this, your idea of macroalgae+DSB is fine and would work. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

28-10-2005, 06:00 PM	#5
KaLiB Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 3,635	If you intend to follow, IMO, make the return chamber larger as it is a little small. Water has to be topped up every 2-3days to ensure the pump will not suck in air. __________________ A fishtank is just like your computer. When your tank crash(OS crash), its time to cleanup(reformat hard drive) and setup(install OS) again and add new livestock(re-install software).

27-10-2005, 10:16 PM	#3
skthk Guest Posts: n/a	Bro nice 4ft tank, how much is it ? Tank alone & with all the equipments ?

27-10-2005, 11:02 PM	#4
whiteice Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the input bro, I think I will do something similar to your pics but will incorporate the skimmer and refugium in the sump. Mine is a 5ft x 20 inch x 2 ft tall tank, so I guess a 3ft all in one will surfice.

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