Basic set up

[jbignell]

If I set up a fish tank with a refugium and have good water flow. Plus have about 5 cm of fine rock on top of an eggcrate. Also good lighting. Is that it? Do I need a canister filter, or some type of charcoal set up? I am looking at a smiple coral and fish set up for a 50g or 100g tank I that I am planning on seting up.

What size of a refugium should I have? Would a 100g tank need a 25g refugium? Is there are ratio 1:4 or 1:6 to figure out the refugium size based on the size of the main tank.

[120gallons]

The larger the refugium the better. I have a 75 gallon tank that is used as a refugium (only about 40 gallons of water in it) for my 120.

For a 100g I'd go with at least a 29 if it fits under your tank.

I'd add a protein skimmer and heater to your supply list.

[Samper]

For substrate what do you mean by 5 cm of fine rock and why would you put it on top of eggcrate?

What is your goal for this system? What do you want to keep?

How are you going to provide water flow and what type of lighting are you considering? What other equipment are you considering?

You don't need a canister filter but a good protein skimmer is a must.

I think a 25 gallon refugium would be a nice size although the bigger the better. I have a 20 gallon gravity fed fuge on a 75 gallon display with a 40 gallon sump and it all works great.

[jbignell]

I was looking at "the Jaubert System" that would help grow Plenum in the static void that the plastic grid creates. That is why I wanted 5cm of substrate in the tank.

I am not sure what I want to do...it really all depends on the day and what is new at the pet shop.

I have looked at setting up a fish only tank with an eel, Picoso Trigger and Dog face puffer. I just don't think these fish will do well over time in a small tank. The other option was clowns and a yellow tang with some invertabrates and soft corals. I am open to any suggestions, my tank has only been set up for about 4 weeks now and the nitrate are now just at zero...I am going to wait another couple weeks before I add anything else other then blue legged hermit crabs.

I have not looked at pumps yet. I have looked at Fluorescent tubes, that are for sale at the pet shop. Could you use compact Fluorescent bulbs?

[jbignell]

Great show 120gallons, I have been podcasting about EMS, for a couple years now. Keep up the great work, I know how hard it is to do a weekly show!