initial refugium set up

[bishopmom]

I am wanting to set up a refugium for our 55g tank. I have found a lot of information on refugiums but no simple directions on how to actually set one up. We have a 10 gallon tank that fits perfectly in the stand below the display tank. But now what? I would like some simple first grader instructions on what to do now. Unfortunately everything I have read is already assuming that I understand overflow boxes and what kind of pumps and plumbing is required, and simply put, I don't.

Thank you every so much.

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND !

Does your system have a sump? How the refugium is connected depends on whether or not you have a sump in the system. Is the skimmer in the sump? Where will you put the skimmer?

A little more info and we might have some ideas. You should get to a fish store to see how pumps and refugiums are designed. Most of the larger LFSs have them in stock. That visual will help when people try to explain it.

You can also check out some tank photos from members of Reefland. They may give you some ideas on layout and design that you can then ask specific questions.

[bishopmom]

Thank you - this seems like a great source of info. I just wish I had a better understanding than to have to ask what must seem a trivial question.

I have two hang on protein skimmers and a canister filter as of right now. We have an additional 10 gallon tank that if possible I would like to make into a gravity fed sump (kind of recycling the parts that I already have) off of the refugium. But I want to have a full understanding of what I am going to do, before I start "assuming" anything.

[leebca]

Everyone has to start somewhere. Learning basics from an Internet site is difficult. A good beginner's book will have photos and greater detail, so that additional information on the Internet makes more sense.

If you have a sump and a refugium, there are a couple of choices. My preference would be to have the tank overflow go into the sump and have the sump pump send water back into the display tank. The sump would have to have enough available volume in it so that all the water in the plumbing overflow would fit inside the sump, should the sump pump stop.

Then, some of the water entering into the sump can be pumped into your refugium and the refugium overflow can go into the sump. Does this sound like something you'd be able to do or want to do?

[bishopmom]

Yes, this sounds like what I want to try to do. I am confused by the last statement though - the water from the sump is pumped into the refugium and the refugium water is pumped back into the sump? I don't understand this part. Why not from the tank into the sump to the refugium and back to the main tank? Or vise versa?

Is there any particular reading material that you would recommend - I am always ready for another informative book. Otherwise, I may drive you crazy with my mundane questions.

Thanks for the help! I really can't tell you how it is appreciated.

[leebca]

The 'in-line' flow like you suggested will work if the flow is not very fast. The water moving through the refugium can't be going too fast, or the refugium contents will 'blow away.' Yet, if you are setting up a reef tank, you will want to have a high flow rate in the display tank. The pump returning water into the display should provide a fast flow rate to give you at least part of the needed circulation in the display. One pump usually won't provide both the high flow rate you want/need for the display AND the slower flow you want/need for the refugium. If you use just one pump, either the flow in the display or the flow in the refugium will be undesirable.

Like I mentioned above, if that pump provides good circulation for the display, it will be too much circulation for a 10 gallon refugium. So, the system isn't 'in-line' but instead the refugium runs on its own pump. That pump can take water from the display and put it back into the display, but to keep it more simple with one overflow, the refugium water can come out of the sump (from sump water entrance end), into the refugium then either back into the sump (at the exit end) or directly back to the aquarium. Other equipment (like a UV treatment) can be in-line on the 'slow flow' refugium pump.

As you can see, there are several configurations possible. Still another configuration is not to worry about the return pump flow rate at all and instead load the inside of the display tank with powerheads. This choice is usually not in the best interests of the livestock. Striking a ratio between return pump flow and inside-tank circulation is a goal to get rid of detritus through the filtration system and not just have it 'blow around' inside the display. Much of these flows are customized to the kind of livestock you wish to maintain (in the display tank as well as the refugium).

If you're looking for a book the emphasizes systems, then this is your best source, IMHO:
The Marine Aquarium Reference, Systems and Invertebrates by Martin A. Moe, Jr.

The above is a sophisticated book which provides diagrams and ideas on different aquarium systems. It is not easy to read nor always easy to understand.

Some beginner's books touch on the subject, usually in one of the first four chapters and devote about one chapter to the subject of equipment (either with or without much to say about configuration). Check out some of those books at your LFS and find one you think is easy for you to understand. I could recommend books, but it is much better if you can browse some of those at your LFS or in retail book stores to find one that best suits you.

Ask whatever it is you need to know! Most people here on Reefland will and are able to help.

[bishopmom]

Thank you so much for the explanation - dare I say, I think I am catching on. I will definitely look up the read, I am learning you can never have too many books.

Thank you again very much!

[lethalshine]

I am sorry for jumping in but I am also interested in a refugium setup. What should be the water flow to the refugium if you set a pump in the sump? 500 gph? 100gph? 1 gph? a trickle?
Thanks

[leebca]

Never any need to be sorry. Everyone is welcome to post.

Refugium flow is dependent upon the size, configuration, and livestock of the refugium. I usually play around with a few pumps before I get it right. If you plan on keeping some invertebrates there that would be harmed by fishes in the main aquarium, you need a flow rate suitable for their wellbeing.

If your refugium will house macro algae and have a deep sand bed, then for a 20 gallon refugium I put the flow rate at about 200gph. Larger refugiums generally call for higher flow rates. Smaller => lower. You configure the flow rate to what is in the refugium and its design. I currently have a multi-chambered 70 gallon refugium and I have right around 800gph flow rate through it, using an Iwaki 70 pump. I have a deep sand bed and macro algae growing in different chambers. The water rushes through some chambers and slows in other chambers.

[jsheffel]

Has anyone had experience with setting up a refugium in a sump as small as five gallons? I have a 30 gallon that I would like to set up as a micro reef and would like to have a refugium with macro alge for nutrient export and as a source for all of those tiny things that "feed" your reef. Filtration is by one of those hang-on combo protein skimmer/ fliter units. The stand is only big enough to hold a five gallon tank (fortunately I have an old one lying around) as a sump. Assuming it can be done, I have several questions:

1) Based on the earlier post, it seems like I would want a pretty low flow rate (perhaps 25 gph). Do you know of an overflow/return setup that would deliver that?

2) How deep does the sand bed need to be (the five gallon is only 10 or 11 inches high)? Should I have a plenum (if so, how deep)? How much water do I need above the sand?

3) How much light would I need?

Any information would be extremely appreciated.