Help with refugium

[Cambycis]

Hello everyone,
i need a little help deciding on a refugium before i purchase. I Have looked at having one custom built. I have a 55 gallón tank and the first one i was quoted has three chambers and holds 23 gallons. The water comes into the first chamber through a filter sock and then the skimmer, it will then go through a hole into the second chamber which 7 inches by 12 inches and then to the return section. The other one holds 32 gallons. The water comes into the first chamber through a media pad then drops down through bio balls then comes out on the bottom. First chamber is 8 inches. Second chamber is 17 with the skimmer and has a 11 compartment inside it for the refugium which is 11 inches. It has a pump that pumps the water into the refugium. Then it hitos the return pump back into my tank. 100 dollars in difference and not sure which one to go with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Mike]

I think most people skip the bio balls, but you could use live rock rubble instead. I would say the size of your stand would play a part with your sump size choice. As a general rule the more water the better.

[jcnkt_ellis]

From what I've read rock rubble that is not totally submerged acts the same as bio-balls...in general both are frowned on as they encourage nitrate producing bacteria

[350gt]

I have been using rubble in my sump in both my 110 and aquapod with no ill effects, wasn't even running a skimmer in the pod. On my new frag tank, I went with rubble again...

[350gt]

With sumps, go as big as you can...... And I personally think having a remote fuge is better...

[Cambycis]

I thought the skimmer would remove the nitrates from the tank as well as the bio balls or live rubble. I'm still a Salt Water virgin and learning as much as i can. I lfs is telling me the smaller one is the better one to go with and the filter sock is the best filtration out there. When i asked what about my micro algae he told me thats not a filter and 7x12 was big enough for my copa pods. It gets confusing after a while lol and thats why i would rather hear from you guys who have the stuff at home. Thanks again.

[Cambycis]

Also, where is the best place to get live rock from.

[350gt]

To end the confusion......

Dont listen to fish stores..... If they had the sump in stock, it was probably them trying to clear what they have.... It's not there fault, it's just business... There is some good ppl at some stores, that will be honest but since your new, how are you to know.....

Its good to ask questions here or do research online, but be warned, there is some sites with very biased views.... So your better off asking here...

[350gt]

Well a bigger is sump is better for numerous reasons, some of which I dont even know.. But the more water the better for our tanks..... Go as big as you can afford and that your stand will permit..... A custom built one was actually cheaper for me than a smaller "big" name brand....

Check at other shops before buying.... Most shops can have one built to your very own specs... And all shops have there pros and cons, but they have all been good to me at one time or another..


As stupid as it seems, i picked up a great book when borders was shutting down and it's been a very good read.... I still read a little every now and then.. But it helped me get over some of the confusion in the beginning.....

[350gt]

Without ever using bio balls, I won't talk down on them.... But I have read alot of stories about why not to use them, so I didn't... I have had luck with live rock submerged under water with no light what so ever for over a year now and my livestock has done well to this point.. So I can vouch that it works... I do have a huge skimmer and that helps a bunch.... With out a nice sized sump, I couldn't have such a good sized skimmer...

[blupez]

I found a guy on CL that builds them to your liking. Very affordable. We emailed back and forth a couple months ago so if you can't find him on CL (his postings showed him out of Universal City) but are interested in seeing what he can do for you let me know and I can give him a call to see if he's still doing this on the side.

[Justin]

Blupez-

Do you have the guys contact information (email) for building sumps still?

[Big_Pun]

I found a guy on CL that builds them to your liking. Very affordable. We emailed back and forth a couple months ago so if you can't find him on CL (his postings showed him out of Universal City) but are interested in seeing what he can do for you let me know and I can give him a call to see if he's still doing this on the side.
prob a maast member lol

[350gt]

Kinda bites that we have to rely on CL to get help instead of here.....

but it is what it is....

[Big_Pun]

not all stores stock crappy sumps some just sell them so much they dont get a chance to gather dust.....

[350gt]

Jndragon what size were you looking for??

i have a biocube 14 that I was going to use as a fuge... I had it drilled and its fitted with a bulkhead

[Big_Pun]

you could always google diy sump there are many articles to convert aquariums into sumps/refugiums

[350gt]

not all stores stock crappy sumps some just sell them so much they dont get a chance to gather dust.....


True.... The sump I bought from Louis was pimp! And custom made to my limit...

I plan on picking up another for my next build....

[Andresm]

I just left Elegant Reef. They are in the process of building me a custom sump. I have seen the quality of these custom sumps. They are top notch!! They are building it to my exact measurements and my exact needs. If you want great customer service and a great custom sump call Louis at Elegant Reef.

[350gt]

I was happy with mine....

i added the egg crate...

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww125/gsrt5/IMG_1713.jpg

[Flyride95]

I have been in this hobby now for 10 months. I started with a filter pad and bio balls. Since then I have switched to the sock and put rock rubble and have been super happy with the results. I was getting nitrates with bio balls. As for a sump the bigger you can go the better. Basically measure the area below where you are putting your sump and get one just a hair smaller. And I don't know if you want a new one or used but there are a few guys here that can make you a sump and there are plenty others that are selling good used sumps. I picked mine up used and it does its job and looks amazing. And as other have said NEVER trust everything your lfs (local fish store) tells you.

Oh and btw when you do get up and running please do not buy damsels the get you cycle started. They are a pain in the *** to remove and the are extremely mean when they get a few months old.

[Justin]

Do you have his name or handle so I can do a search on CL?

[Justin]

I didn't want to hijack the thread but I wanted to go custom as well and thought about going to Elegant Reef since the guys he uses is the same that all of the LFS in town use * From what I have been told*

[Brickster]

As stupid as it seems, i picked up a great book when borders was shutting down and it's been a very good read.... I still read a little every now and then.. But it helped me get over some of the confusion in the beginning.....

This was the best advice in the thread. Even being a fairly seasoned freshwater hobbyist, the smartest thing I ever did was read a book about marine tanks. The trouble with going and talking to the LFS trying to figure this stuff out from scratch is that everybody has their own ideas about how it is "supposed" to work. There are many different approaches, and several of them are good. Once you know what the fundamentals are, you can start to talk about strategies.

It can be intimidating, but the learning is really half the fun. I'm on my third tank (the charm!), and I'm just starting to know what I don't know. If I didn't want to be challenged I'd keep goldfish :bigsmile: