54g reef tank

Melina · #1 07-13-2007, 08:30 PM

Well, I joined Reef Central and was reading how a lot of members there think the Remora Pro is a piece of garbage. I started thinking I need a better skimmer, so after speaking to Mike at Hidden Reef this morning, he explained all the benefits of having a sump. Oh and I've been having some nasty experiences at Petland. I have personal issues with the manager there. I won't be doing any more business with Petland. SO. I've cancelled my order at Petland for the 54g. And I'm going to return the stand I ordered from Big Al's. Mike and his team are going to put together a 58g (36 x 19 x 24) for me, with a 25g sump & Euro-reef skimmer, with a pine stand. I'm pretty excited.

michika · #2 07-13-2007, 08:37 PM

Sounds like a good set up. Is a refugium included within the sump?

Melina · #3 07-13-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michika

Sounds like a good set up. Is a refugium included within the sump?

Nope but he said one could easily be added?? Gosh I am so new to all this, I don't know, he explained it all to me, something about having 2 returns from the pump for really good water flow? I am so lost when it comes to the technicalities. I'm just sort of blindly following his advice because I trust him. Meantime I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I still have to learn exactly what a refugium is. Is it to grow food for the inhabitants? duhhh I'm such a beginner!!!!!!!!

Hey what do you all think of the Tek Light T5's, will they deliver enough light in the new tank which is 24" deep as opposed to 20"?

Reefer Rob · #4 07-13-2007, 09:26 PM

If there is room under the stand go a little larger on the sump and have a refugium built at one end. If you had about a 12" cube that overflows into the main sump it would be a great place to grow macro-algae for nutrient export.
May as well start off right, you're going to want it later anyway

0sprey · #5 07-13-2007, 10:10 PM

Refugiums are used to grow certain kinds of live food... particularly copepods and amphipods. These are the foods needed for fish like the mandarin dragonet and seahorses...slow eaters that often refuse dead food. You can also grow macroalgae in the refugium for nutrient export (it absorbs nitrates as it grows, and when you prune it, it removes the nitrates from the system).

An alternative to the in-sump refugium is to try to find space for an upstream refugium... that's a 'fuge that's kept above the tank. You pump water up from the tank and have an overflow take the water back. This provides a steady stream of live 'pods for the tank. You can buy HOB ones, but they're usually small... a fuge with a proper stand above the tank is the best option.

I should, of course, note that I do NOT have an upstream refugium, mostly because of extra cost. Mine is in-sump.

Melina · #6 07-13-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0sprey

Refugiums are used to grow certain kinds of live food... particularly copepods and amphipods. These are the foods needed for fish like the mandarin dragonet and seahorses...slow eaters that often refuse dead food. You can also grow macroalgae in the refugium for nutrient export (it absorbs nitrates as it grows, and when you prune it, it removes the nitrates from the system).

An alternative to the in-sump refugium is to try to find space for an upstream refugium... that's a 'fuge that's kept above the tank. You pump water up from the tank and have an overflow take the water back. This provides a steady stream of live 'pods for the tank. You can buy HOB ones, but they're usually small... a fuge with a proper stand above the tank is the best option.

I should, of course, note that I do NOT have an upstream refugium, mostly because of extra cost. Mine is in-sump.

I understand now, thanks!

Reefer Rob · #7 07-13-2007, 10:35 PM

I had an "upstream refugium" on my last tank, it was a real PTA. It was impossible to have the water flow back into the tank without creating bubbles, which pop and make a mess of your nice T5 lights.