Refugium size

[The_Orca]

What's up people. I'm buying a 95 Gallon tank this week and I'm making a Refugium with some help from Shavo. Would a 20 gallon tank be ok for Refug for a 95 Gal??

 

[atnixon]

I dont see why not not..i am building a 20gal sump/fuge for my 100 gal i am building...I suppose the ols saying is the best..." Bigger is better "...

Anything that is going to add extra volume to your display tank has be an advantage...

Niko

 

[trido]

Yep, 20 Gallons is fine. Of course bigger is better. IMO that holds true for my display as well.

 

[shavo]

IMO/IME 20 gallon tank will be like 15 gallons of water during operation, minus the DSB, minus the rubble rock, minus the plants, minus the heaters, minus the return pump, minus the skimmer. it's going 2 quarts of pure filtering power by the time your done!
IMO/IME

 

[Vasces]

20 long if you gave the room for it, it's all about the surface area.

 

[atnixon]

very true, i still stick by the idea that any extra water you can add to surface area and volume has got to be a bonus..

Niko

 

[The_Orca]

Thanks for the info everyone. . I'll see if I can fit a 30 under it. It all depends what fits in the stand. At least I know a 20 will work.

 

[mr_X]

i say no to the 20 gallon. you will outgrow it quickly IMO

 

[trido]

i say no to the 20 gallon. you will outgrow it quickly IMO

I disagree with this statement. A 20 Gallon is better than nothing. Of course, If you could use a 55 that would be better. A refugium does NOT have to house a list of items as LR rubble and a DSB as well as Macro algeas. Most Experienced reefers would tell you to avoid using rubble in the fuge because it tends to accumulate detritous and then becomes counter productive. The LR rubble can be as troublesome as bioballs and need maintanance to keep it clean. A fuge also does not have to have a DSB. It can have all three but can have as little as one of these. I would start with Macros for nutrient export and let the Display tank do the rest if I was tight on space. If your setting up a fuge and already have a sump to house your skimmer you can set it slightly above the sump and let it gravity feed to the sump htne yo dont need a reutrn pump. If you dont have a sump already maybe you should have Posted "I am setting up a sump and will I have enough extra room to use it as a fuge to?". When it comes to having overflows in a reef tank, the sump comes first and extra room for a fuge is a bonus. ALOT of reefers dont have a fuge and tanks do just fine without them. The ability of getting equipment out of the display tank is the biggest priority as well as having extra water volume. The sump also allows for a bigger skimmer than a HOB is capable of. It makes dosing a little safer because the chemicals get a bit of mixing before reaching the display and there are other bonuses as well.

So again I will say "A 20 gallon tank is better than nothing".

 

[shavo]

if he is making a sump why wouldn't he just make it a fuge as well. My problem usually is doing things half way to realize I should have just done it the right way in the first place. I hear what you are saying but now that my fuge is operational I like every component of it. I like my DSB, I like my ruble rock, ( I have a powerhead in my fuge so i don't build up alot of gunk) and I like the plant life. My fuge for the most part is more interesting than my display. It's like Jurassic park in there. survival of the fittest. My fuge houses my heater and my skimmer and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[trido]

if he is making a sump why wouldn't he just make it a fuge as well. My problem usually is doing things half way to realize I should have just done it the right way in the first place. I hear what you are saying but now that my fuge is operational I like every component of it. I like my DSB, I like my rubble rock, ( I have a powerhead in my fuge so i don't build up alot of gunk) and I like the plant life. My fuge for the most part is more interesting than my display. It's like Jurassic park in there. survival of the fittest. My fuge houses my heater and my skimmer and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I understand your point. I think that your fuge is real interesting. Not only its inhabitants but the way you have it set up. You have done well.
MY point to Orca, and anyone for that matter is that in 9 out of 10 cases a sump is a bigger priority than a fuge mostly for the two reasons that you can house a larger more efficient skimmer and the more water volume does create a more stable environment for the reef The fuge is secondary. I also agree that a person can (and likely will ) quickly outgrow a 20 sump/fuge. I have a 25G sump and a 30G fuge and wish I had more. I think you can agree with me though, a 20G is better than nothing.

 

[mr_X]

you just contradicted yourself. you said you disagree with my statement that he will outgrow the 20 gallon, and then you say- "I also agree that a person can (and likely will ) quickly outgrow a 20 sump/fuge."

you just typed a ton of words and IMO, confused him more.

ORCA- you are buying a 95 gallon tank, correct?
you will have decent room under the stand. i SUGGEST, once again, filling it with the biggest sump/fuge you can.
as trido stated, you'll outgrow the 20 gallon. LOL.

 

[trido]

Quote Mr X: IMO/IME 20 gallon tank will be like 15 gallons of water during operation, minus the DSB, minus the rubble rock, minus the plants, minus the heaters, minus the return pump, minus the skimmer. it's going 2 quarts of pure filtering power by the time your done!
IMO/IME

You first posted this. Basicly you stated that it wasnt worth this persons time. Two other people disagreed with you and said that a even a small sump/fuge is better than none at all.


I Tried to explain in detail that a sumps primary function is for two reasons; 1) volume and 2) equipment. Primarily skimming. Then I stated that a fuge is a BONUS. Definately not a necessary part of a successful reef. MANY people have reefs without any remote DSB, LR rubble or even macro algeas.

i say no to the 20 gallon. you will outgrow it quickly IMO

Let me come back to this statement. Again, you are telling this person that it isnt worth their time. I then said. A 20 Gallon sump without a fuge at all is better than nothing at all. Trying to be nice, I said that you are correct, the bigger the sump the better. I am not trying to be agumentive for the sake of picking a fight with you. I am however trying to explain the pros' and cons of every situation and back up my statements. My intention is to give people in the NR forums as much information as possible pertaining to their situation. I dont think that a one line response like the one above is helpful to anyone. That is why I contradict you lately. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I really need to upgrade my sump then. I have a 10ga. under my 100ga. 8O

I have to have one made to fit the cabinet though. :?

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 75G(English) tank, i am having it drilled and having a sump fitted beneath the tank. I am putting both my heaters,my skimmer and my phosphate reactor. I do not have space for a fuge, my tank is going to be FOWLR. Do i really need one. Yeah i know that you are going to say that it is better to have one, but cost and space are a problem. Thanks for any input.

 

[atnixon]

I would never say that a system " NEEDS " one..However, i think, between the lines, that everybody on here agrees that any sump or fuge or combinations of the two are always going to be a benefit to the display tank...How long it is before you concider that you have out grown the current sump or fuge is down to the individual i think..

Niko

 

[trido]

How long it is before you concider that you have out grown the current sump or fuge is down to the individual i think..

Niko

This is a very good statement. MY system is very functional and I definately dont need a new sump. Even If I did put a new one in I can only gain 15 more gallons. But I am an addict and always want more reef to enjoy.

 

[trido]

How long it is before you concider that you have out grown the current sump or fuge is down to the individual i think..

Niko

This is a very good statement. MY system is very functional and I definately dont need a new sump. Even If I did put a new one in I can only gain 15 more gallons. But I am an addict and always want more reef to enjoy.

 

[atnixon]

That damn double posting again trido...still trying to get your numbers up eh....he he he he...only joking mate....

Not really contributed much to this post i know...But i think its good sometimes to get everyones opinions on something that we have and take for granted like a sump or fuge....i think its always good for some-one to see lots of answers to a question..because at the end of the day, there is no right or wrong on a subject like this, we all have our opinions and merely just pointing them out on here..It is ultimatly down to the person who posts the intital question on what course of action he or she is going to take..

Obviously, there is always the exception to the rule when somebody posts a comment that is absolutly rediculous and contridics everything that everybody else has said...

But, ultimatly, its an open forum for peoples views...

Sorry, am boring everyone now, so i will shut up....he he he

Niko

 

[The_Orca]

Thanks for all your info. It just gives me more to think about. I pick up the tank tommorw so while at the lfs I'll see what's size fits best before I load it in the truck. This will give a perfect idea of what size will fit right.
Thanks again.