There's a refugium question at the bottom

[knowsam]

Hi
I'm a freshwater aquarist looking to move into SW. Most recently I've run a 70 gal planted Discus tank and figure I'm ready to make the switch. I'd like to end up with a reef system in the end but I want to take small steps because I'd rather not kill anything. My plan:
Set up the system so it will have water quality and filteration needed for the reef.

Stock it with live rock and live sand.
Filter it with the Live rock/sand, big skimmer and a large refugium (I have a 30 gal tank around)
lightly stock with reef safe fish & snalls etc
If everything's going fine go from there.

My question is really about the refugium.
I want to create a refugium that will filter and act as a plantkton factory.

What plant - rock- spong combo would work best to do this?

If I start a plankton factory before I have any corals/ sponges and just a few fish is that going to cause any problems?

Lastly, has anyone tried using a rugf pump to pump water through tubing under the gravel. The tubes then come to the surface in different areas to increase water flow and hide the machinery? (Sorry this last bit is hard to put to words)

Cheers Sean

 

[OrionGirl]

The best plankton producers that I know of can go in the main tank--cleaner shrimp. They are pretty well constantly pregnant, and releasing larvae. Great food for a variety of invertebrates.

On the second--yes, thought not as you described it. Most people just hook up a regular pump, and then use PVC under the sand, with outputs are various locations around the tank. The only problem I've had with a similar setup is that it's hard to really hide it without a) having it too low, so sand will get blown around or b) putting a rock over it, deflecting most of the current away from the front, creating a dead spot behind it. I found using powerheads attached to the side of the tank much easier, both in terms of maintenance and cleaning.