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...