Refugium setup

I have a ball valve installed in the line that was to go to the fuge. I think I will add a T before the valve and shunt the flow into the sump. May need to govern my returns down since they will be running around 270+gph each. My sump is a 40 breeder but that is probably too high of flow through it.

 

Please keep the ideas coming this has been most helpful.

 

do you have a pick of your sump? a 40 breeder is what I use split into 3 sections. intake and skimmer/return section/ fuge with a DSB

 

My is set up intake/skimmer, DSB, return.

It is my build thread, see my link below.

 

Not sure how I missed your build thread! I would suggest a slight rearrangement of the sump to allow better control over the flow thru the fuge. If your return pump will fit in the middle compartment as it is now then you can move the DSB to the end compartment.

 

Thanks for the idea, I was thinking of having a little higher flow over the DSB and a remote refugium. I am converting the 26 to the refugium. Would you add sand to the fuge and how deep?

 

for best results include a 5" to 6" DSB in the fuge, the slower flow over it will allow the bacteria in the bed to do its job more efficiently and the top layer is good for planting the macro algae in.
In the sump as long as the flow is not pushing the DSB around it should be ok.

 

I agree with Telgar on the DSB depth, especially since you are going remote with the fuge. That way if a problem ever occurs you can take the fuge offline until it is corrected. When I build my next I'll be using a remote DSB in a 6 gallon bucket. This way the only thing that needs to be shut down is the flow through the bucket. Simple, easy and very effective once it matures.

 

Thanks guys, the sand bed in the sump is 3 1/2"

 

So how are you doing a remote fuge? Sounds lik eyou will use two return pumps. There is no way that is going to balance. One overflow one return.

Also... macro algae is about nutrient export. NO3 and PO4. Chosing is about ease and export and growth. Cheato usually wins. however, there is not a macro that does something so much better as to have several types. Even using Mangroves.... great for nutrient export... but Mangroves do not do anything specifically better as to require macro algae and mangroves. They even require different types of flow to make it more difficult. So I don't get the desire to recommend running both.

I also know plenty of people run rock in their fuge... but a DSB needs to be kept clean and rocks just trap detritus. Pods live in the cheato and my DSB stays nice and clean and does not get clogged.