refugium flow rate?

[bprewit]

I have a 55g tank and built a new sump/refugium. The fuge section holds around 14g of water, and currently the flow rate through it is around 60gph. I know if I move too much water through it then it wont be very efficient, but what is the optimum flow rate? This is my first attempt at one so could sure use some help! I just got it filled with water today, and right now its completly empty but will add sand, some live rock. and macro sometime next week. I mounted this underneath my tank and am going to frame out the doors on my stand tomorrow so that I can look at the refugium part of the sump with the doors closed. Also what kind of lighting and how much? It measures 22"LX15"HX12"D so would 110W pc lighting be enough? Too much? I keep seeing the JEBO brand for sale on ebay with two 55W pc bulbs in a 24" hood so was thinking of trying it. They are cheap at $45 so I know cant be outstanding quality but maybe not too bad? This is link to the lights on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...81674&rd=1

[wkopplin]

Interesting idea with the biowheels. That should hold some nice bacteria colonies. I never thought of using them like that. Watch it for the first few days. If things are getting blown around, reduce the flow, if things seem like they are holding their own in there and you can see the macros moving some with the water, you are probably OK. If there is not much movement and you notice a little stagnation, increase the flow. 4x turnover for a fuge might be a little on the low side from my experience (which is still quite limited). Just a little low, not too bad.

[bprewit]

<Interesting idea with the biowheels. That should hold some nice bacteria colonies.>
I pulled the biowheels from the penguin filter a long time ago but keep them in the sump as loaners. Whenever someone I know starts a saltwater tank I give them the biowheels from my sump in exchange for their new ones to help jumpstart their new tank. It seems to work pretty well on helping their tanks cycle.

[wkopplin]

Learn something new everyday. Not a bad idea at all.

[kaiser]

I got one of those lights for sale.