Refugiums and Sumps?

[Reefatarian]

I am looking for suggestions for a book, web site or any information regarding the setting up and maintaining of a refugium and the use of a sump, basically something that can serve as a guide as I advance further into the hobby. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Reefatarian

 

[Reefguide]

I too have looked for something similar with no sucess. They best I found was basically just doing a google search on Refugiums but came up with very little, mosty fuge plans, plumbing ect.

 

[Reefguide]

Oops ! Was a duplicate !

 

[Reefatarian]

So there is no book or guid on the topic then? Trial and error and hours of searching the net the only way of obtaining information?

 

[ReefLion]

The easiest thing is to just ask here about a specific question or design you have in mind.

There is no magic to a refugium or sump. You just put salt water in a container somewhere near the display tank. Pump water from the container to the display tank, which overflows back to the container. You now have a sump. Add rock and/or sand, and you can call it a refugium. That's it.

I know this is obvious, but I'm not trying to be facecious. I think a lot of people lose track of the obvious when designing sump systems. Just keep it simple. That may be why there is no book or guide for it.

Having said all that, here's the basic information that can help us help you:

- how big is your display tank
- how much room do you have for a sump/refugium (don't rule out the basement)
- what do you plan to keep
- what filtration exists on the display

Hope this helps get the ball rolling.

Tim

 

[Reefatarian]

I know the basics of the sump from reading books and looking at web pages, looking for a guid of sorts to help me build one and keep it maintained. My specs are short for I am a beginner in marine keeping but they are as follows:




- how big is your display tank - 50 gal
- how much room do you have for a sump/refugium (don't rule out the basement) - In a aprtment so compact size like under the stand.
- what do you plan to keep - Inverts and about 6-7 fish with coral
- what filtration exists on the display - Right now just live rock, live sand, power heads, skimmer for up to 100 gal.

 

[ReefLion]

I forgot to ask one other question: is your tank pre-drilled for an internal overflow? My guess is no, but I wanted to make sure.

For under the tank I would just use one or more smaller tanks or rubbermaid bins (or one each). Under one basic system, you would T the overflow line and drain most tank water to the "sump" and a smaller amount to a "refugium." The refugium could be a separate bin or simply a baffled section of the sump. In either case, have the refugium gravity drain to the main sump, and return to the display from there.

The other basic system is using a single bin and single drain line, but simply baffling some section of the sump off as a place to put rock and/or sand. With small sumps, I'd probably recomment the first system above, so you don't get too much flow through the refugium.

Tim

 

[Reefguide]

If it helps this is what I came up with, image below. I have several issues with it. Being that it is a 10g tank made into a fuge, the last chamber, if water would just flow over the last baffle it only allows me for about a little over 1 gallon of evaporation. I was forced to had water flow through the last baffle, causing me to have a film develop over the center (algae) section. My caulerpa is sometimes being sucked in through the egg crate and into the the pump.

 

[Reefatarian]

Cant see the picture although ive been looking at different web sites with a little more knowledge on what to look for and what im looking at. Couple of questions and I think im going to start working on a design:

Does the refugium need to be cycled before I put it in circulation. (im guessing yes here)

In the event of a power failure what would keep the sump and refugium from over flowing since the pump is not returning?

If I had a 10 or 20 gal refugium would I have to meet lighting needs exe. watts x Gal or does that depend on what's grown in the refugium?

Thx for the help BTW

 

[ReefLion]

On the water level question, you have to set the water level in the fuge/sump so that there is room for any back flow during a pump stoppage.

There are lots of options on lighting. Generally, the higher wattage the faster algae growth, but even NO lights will do if necessary. I run mine at night, as many people do, to minimize pH swings. Others go 24/7. There is a little debate on that still.

Note that you can have an unlit refugium that will be great for small fauna, even without growing any macroalgae.

Tim

 

[Reefguide]

People including myself sometimes use Lights of America - Fluorescent Outdoor Flood Light. Cheap alternative about $30.00 !

THIS LINK SHOULD WORK FOR MY FUGE DIAGRAM.