fuge question

[thirty6]

is a fuge vital to a healthy reef tank? i may be looking to swap out my current sump which is not setup with a fuge. I am not sure if want to add one or not. the idea of a light on inside my stand worries me for some reason despite knowing that so many people do this on a regular basis.

 

[peteyboyny]

I leave my fuge light on 24/7. No worries.
And yes, IMO a refugium is a vital part (though not a necessary part) of a complete and healthy system. A place for nutrients to be absorbed, and a place for pods and critters to grow unmolested. It is adds a new link in the food chain. IMO, just makes for a well rounded system.

 

[thirty6]

Thanks. What type of light do you use for fuge, and enclosed stand ? With or without a fan in stand?

 

[edd]

instead of changing sump why not add a separate fuge. if space permits.

 

[peteyboyny]

Thanks. What type of light do you use for fuge, and enclosed stand ? With or without a fan in stand?

I got my bulb from Wingo last fall at the swap ($60). It's a Par 9*1w - Cool white=4000k. It's plugged into a clip on reflector/plug I got from Home Depot. It even works when you drop it in the fuge..trust me, i know.
I don't use a fan under the tank unless it gets really warm (it usually doesn't, unless my wife turns the AC off). My stand is open on one side and has an access port in the front.
The warmest my tank hits is 82f, it's usually @ 80f. But that's my tank.

 

[peteyboyny]

I leave it on 24/7 to prevent the Caulerpa macros from going sexual. They grow out of control when they do.
Also reduces pH swings from daylight to night.

 

[peteyboyny]

Caulerpas grow pretty crazy anyway.
So do aptasia.

 

[peteyboyny]

Here's a side view.
Oops. Literally a side view.

 

[reefer4eva]

Here's a side view.
Oops. Literally a side view.

Now that's a healthy refugium!!

 

[thirty6]

I leave it on 24/7 to prevent the Caulerpa macros from going sexual. They grow out of control when they do.
Also reduces pH swings from daylight to night.

your fuge looks like its flourishing. I was wondering if you split the drain line to go into fuge section. If so, are you doing this with a ball valve to regulate the flow so its less coming into the fuge than it would be to say the filter socks?

 

[peteyboyny]

I don't controll the flow at all. The water flows into the sump, water falls over into my filter socks, into the fuge, then spills through a bubble trap, into my skimmer/return section. My sump is a MegaFlow model4. Not really designed for a fuge, but it works.

 

[peteyboyny]

I can only upload 1 pic at a time.

 

[peteyboyny]

Don't know why they're sideways either.

 

[Ariel110G]

I can only upload 1 pic at a time.

I have the same sump / same setup of the sump & its working grate for me.

 

[peteyboyny]

I have the same sump / same setup of the sump & its working grate for me.

I picked mine up as part of a package deal, the price was right. My refugium was born out of a little problem with some macros run amuck in my previous tank. My next sump I'm using a 55g to have a bigger fuge and more sections.

 

[thirty6]

Seems like its working. Inhave to give this some thought. Maybe ill try the fuge. Was think g i could section off a space thats 14g. Not sure if thats good enough size or not. Tanks a 150

 

[peteyboyny]

My fuge section is only a 16x16, with about 10" of water. That's about 11g.
I have a 140g DT.

 

[peteyboyny]

It must help because even as lazy as I've been lately...
I went from this...

 

[peteyboyny]

To this. In a year. I really don't keep anything too challenging in my tank. That helps too.

 

[thirty6]

Must. That's good inspiration. I keep hardy easy stuff as well