New sump refugium question

[hobogato]

In my current fuge, I can't ever grow any macro, and I can only assume that it's from the lack of nutrients associated with it's growth.

or i could be high phosphates from that tap water you are using as that can inhibit macro algae and sps growth - woah - kinda combining a couple of threads here

[erikharrison]

true true. Ace, you have seen my tank though. I check for phosphates once a month and my readings are always nil. I also never have algae, no hair, no cyano, nothing. I even called my apartment complex and asked them if they had water filtration in our units and they told me no... I am however happy to NOT have a phosphate problem. I really can't figure it out. I only clean my glass once per week??

[Ping]

It is acceptable to supply water to your fuge from any source. There are pro's and con's to either method.

[lhoy]

I am indeed doing a cryptic fuge (let's say harvesting any algae after a while gets old!!). I have always had a lot of luck with sponges, etc. and after reading a thread at the Central site I became very interested in the concept of the cryptic fuge. Basically, it is a DSB with a raised eggcrate platform with live rock for growing things that do better in the dark (read less heat from lighting, no algae, etc.). The theory is (and no I can't prove anything scientifically here) that the sponges, feather dusters, etc. will clean the water as well.

No matter what type of fuge you run, DON'T put predators in the fuge that defeat the purpose. People often drop off unwanted hitchhikers, sand sifting stars, etc. that eat the things we are trying to grow in a fuge. Calfo's book "Reef Invertebrates" gives an outstanding discussion of this whole topic.

I will post some pics of the my cryptic fuge tomorrow on my build thread. I don't want to hijack this thread because it is a great discussion. I did "T" off from my drain to this fuge and then I have (2) 1/2' bulkheads (they were what was already drilled on the tank) near the top. I put threaded/slip adapters that I turned sideways to skim off the top. This tank is taller than my sump so it gravity feeds the sump. I did this to avoid another pump and I wanted to use the "refuge" section of my sump as a frag tank.

Hope that helps.

Lee

[Ping]

Slow flow through a fuge is an antiquated theory for a fuge with a deep sandbed, Advection with our sandbeds is more efficient with moderate current (Delbeek).

Slow flow works, it just works best in a fuge that is bare bottomed and can be vacumed of detritus.



The Reef Aquarium, Volume three, Delbeek and Sprung

[lhoy]

Yes, the key with the cryptic fuge or a Remote Deep Sand Bed is some moderate flow to keep the detritus from settling on the top of the sand as Ping pointed out.

Lee

[emac]

there are more than enuff bristle worms and such in your live rock. there really is no need to go and spend money on a pod culture they will cover your fuge in due time.

[blueboy]

fuges can serve several functions, they can be used to reduce nitrates(DSB, macro), stabilize parameters such as PH and alk, and /or to provide a natural food source for your tank. what you are trying to accomplish will dictate the design of your fuge. most folks on here who use s fuge seem to use it primarilly to reduce nitrates, so DSB and macro are the order of the day, but liverock rubble is prime for growing pods for fresh fishy treats 24/7.

[Hanali]

there are more than enuff bristle worms and such in your live rock. there really is no need to go and spend money on a pod culture they will cover your fuge in due time.

Yeah so... my live rock. Well it is alive but it has seen better days.

See I have had this tank up for almost 3 years and I am shocked it comes back after a long trip or my lack of knowledge and money. So not sure how much will come back. 2 weeks ago there was some pods and I saw a bristle worm. Now... nothing but I let it go some to rebuild it to this.

fuges can serve several functions, they can be used to reduce nitrates(DSB, macro), stabilize parameters such as PH and alk, and /or to provide a natural food source for your tank. what you are trying to accomplish will dictate the design of your fuge. most folks on here who use s fuge seem to use it primarilly to reduce nitrates, so DSB and macro are the order of the day, but liverock rubble is prime for growing pods for fresh fishy treats 24/7.

So why do I have a fuge... well to up the amount of water for my 55. I was only holding about 5 gallons extra and tonight I loaded 15 more gallons to the tank with the new sump. The fuge is to hopefully stabilize my tank so when I travel for work for a week I can come back and not have it crash. I am not the best about water tests and all that other stuff so trying to make it a hair more tolerant for those times I am not there.

The sump is fashioned in a stair step so one chamber is lower than the one before it. I T'd the line and placed a ball joint to limit the flow.

I am really unsure how to hold the pipe up and over the sump, but that is easy enough.

So far no leaks and I need a TON of sand.

So skimmer and return is working. Looking for sand and Cheato... or however you spell it.

[chark]

Great thread all! ! ! Hanali the picture was helpful.
Although, I have more questions. I plan on running a deep sand bed and macro algae for the reasons mentioned in other posts. Ping mentions that the more modern thought is for more flow. Could I then have all flow go through the refugium? I have about 600 gph through the sump. If not how much flow?