expanding to 125

[reef75]

I have a 75 gallon reef tank and I want to expand to 125 gallon. I would first like to know what is the amount of water flow that should be cycling the tank and a good type of external pumps, protein skimmers, uv, chillers, heater, and lighting system that will handling any type of coral.

Secondly I hear many good things about having a refuigm in the sump does anyone have any pros and cons about this and how many gallons should the sump be.

Thanks Reef75

[weez1959]

I don't think there is such a thing as a con to a sump. They are the best thing you could have, you can hide ALL the ugly stuff in there except power heads of course. I think it should be at least 25% of your display tank so 30-40 gallons should be good although if you don't have the space you can go smaller, you'll just have less room for your equipment....

[reef75]

Thanks,
How many gallons should the refugium be.

Reef75

[weez1959]

Mine uses up about 1/2 the sump, one section (1/4 of the sump) is where the water comes in, then a baffle, then the fuge in the center, then 2 baffles one inch apart, and then the return pump. It's worked for me

[charlie]

You could always set up the refugium separate from the main system also. I find that sometimes I end up staring at my fuge , just watching some of the interesting things that go on in there.

[reef75]

I want to have mandrian fish in my new tank and I was told that I can grow the food the fish eat in the refugium. If you can give me some feedback on the amount of water flow is needed in a 125.

Reef75

[charlie]

I want to have mandrian fish in my new tank and I was told that I can grow the food the fish eat in the refugium. If you can give me some feedback on the amount of water flow is needed in a 125.

Reef75

There is no cut and dried theory on how much flow is required!! Alot depends on what you want to have in said 125. I turn my 300 over at least 30 times per hour, but it is a bare bottom sps tank that is skimmed fairly aggresively. What type of corals do you plan on?????

As far as having a mandarin, this type of fish should really only be added to an established system that already has plenty of pods, and yet sometimes they will still starve to death because of the competition for the pods. If it was me, I would establish a refugium first. and see what type of pod population you have. Trust me, I have had a couple of mandarins that have gone by the wayside because of my own stupidity.

[reef75]

I would like to handle all types of coral right know I only have soft and hard corals.

reef75

[charlie]

I would like to handle all types of coral right know I only have soft and hard corals.

reef75

That is all types of corals????????