Question about fuge

cweber

AC Members
Dec 12, 2006
130
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Oklahoma
Ive been reading a lot about refugiums. Most of what ive read, the fuge is under the display and fed up with a pump. Last night i read about some above the display, saying that letting the fuge overflow to the display is better because the pump can kill the pods. Im getting plans together to start a small reef aquarium and want to do it right the first time. Anyone have any opinions on this? Thanks

Cory
 
I suppose the fuge location all depends on size, space, cost...

If you have the space, then i would go inside the cabinet and include a fuge in a sump...Some people choose to buy a hang on the back fuge if space is at a premium...here is a DIY link to a hang on fuge...

http://www.reefsuk.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11812&sid=4d1ec02f73d875b83360e3cc3a0196ec

Of course, above tank fuge...

http://www.reefsuk.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=85726&sid=6af63bd17e5b9c7a67707428b92b2a26

Like i say, there are loads of options, they all work, all have good and bad points...

Niko
 
There's lot of opinions about pods and refugiums...
Some say a refugium under the tank results in virtually no pods being transported from there to the display tank, stating there's no good reason why a pod would want to be near the suction of a drain. If that's the case, why would an above the tank refugium be any different? It still has a drain that causes suction.
Others claim pumps kill pods, while even others have stated they've had small fish take the ride from their display tank to their sump / refugium and get pumped back up to the display, so they believe that pods aren't killed by pumps if their fish haven't been.
Personally, our refugium is under our tank. If pods are making it up to our display, great. If not, I'm not really that concerned about it. There's plenty of LR in our display and I can spot pods anytime I want. For me, the refugium is more important for nutrient export (growing macro algae) -- any pods making it from there to the display is just an occassional bonus.
 
Ok, cool. Thanks guys! Also Niko were did you get the glass drill bits, should most hardware stores carry them?
 
Thanks guys!!
 
I hooked this refugium up today. I drilled this acrylic tank and keep it above the display so that it returns by force of gravity. I would like build a cabinet that will enclose the main tank and fuge for aesthetic purposes, but the refugium is functionally sound.

DSC00885.jpg
 
i have really always prefered the hang on type because i dont like sumps and ive made setups with sumps that had fuges in them and i noticed a few things didnt work out so well like the whole less pods and that sometimes things would get out of the fuge like macro algae and clog the main pump making the entire system useless. both work well but ive found the hang on type to work better in most cases. it also acts as another place to add filter or other media and devises besides a sump or in addition to one. its really ur own preference.
 
Nice setup. I like the way the pods will gently get back to the dp. Mine get one heck of a ride via the Mag 9.5 reverse water slide. Up three feet with one crazy bend and into the tank. Somehow they make it though and at night it's a big critter party.

I hooked this refugium up today. I drilled this acrylic tank and keep it above the display so that it returns by force of gravity. I would like build a cabinet that will enclose the main tank and fuge for aesthetic purposes, but the refugium is functionally sound.

DSC00885.jpg
 
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