[ReeFGeeK]

I was told by this wonderfull board that i need to get rid of the bioballs in my sump. So ive been looking through the archives (great area for newbies here) and i have found that i should remove them slowly not all at once but how many at a time? Also ive been reading bout refugiums in the archives and i was wondering do i just put the refugium like were the ball were or could i build a new sump and replace the one i have or put the refugium in a diffrent tank or does it even matter? Also i was told i need more sand and i need to seed it wont the seeding be kinda pointless when i have asandsiffting starfish? Ok last question i Promise a read that some people put there refugium above the tank this would be possible for me since theres a nice shelf next to the tank is this better then under the tank or does this matter? Well sorry for the long post with all the question my tank is totaly screwedup cause i listend to MY LFS and didnt find this place till a couple weeks ago so i hope yall can help and get my tank looking good.

- ReeFGeeK

[golfish]

When I removed mine I did it all at once without problems. How about 1/4 of them per week

[Rin]

Originally posted by ReeFGeeK
I was told by this wonderfull board that i need to get rid of the bioballs in my sump. So ive been looking through the archives (great area for newbies here) and i have found that i should remove them slowly not all at once but how many at a time?

I removed mine a quarter at time (once a week) and encountered no problems. But I also had an established sandbed and my tank didn't have too much of a bioload.

Also ive been reading bout refugiums in the archives and i was wondering do i just put the refugium like were the ball were or could i build a new sump and replace the one i have or put the refugium in a diffrent tank or does it even matter?

Refugiums come in all forms--in sump, separate tank, some below, some above. There are even some that are HOT (Hang On Tank). You probably can't put it in the same place as your bioballs because a refugium needs gentle flow through it. Putting it at the point were the display tank drains into isn't going to work out so well. Keep reading about the different designs--you'll get the idea.

Also i was told i need more sand and i need to seed it wont the seeding be kinda pointless when i have asandsiffting starfish?

Loose the star, and seed that sandbed. You won't be able to maintain much biodiversity in your sandbed with that star in there.

Ok last question i Promise a read that some people put there refugium above the tank this would be possible for me since theres a nice shelf next to the tank is this better then under the tank or does this matter?

Both options will work fine. Some people prefer putting the refugium above the display tank, because they want the water from the refugium to overflow into the display. This allows the most planktonic life to survive the trip without being munched up by a pump.

Well sorry for the long post with all the question my tank is totaly screwedup cause i listend to MY LFS and didnt find this place till a couple weeks ago so i hope yall can help and get my tank looking good.

Don't sweat it.

- ReeFGeeK