is a 14x14x12 refugium big enough for a 125?

Just like the title says, is it big enough? It will be seperate from my sump and house chaeto and ulva. Im undecided yet if I want to put in kitty litter or sand in there. Maybe you guys can help me decide

 

How many gallons? I know nothing about using kittie litter tho.
I have heard you want a fuge about 1/10 of the size of the tank.

 

125 gallon tank, ive also got a 20 gallon sump attached.

 

at least 1/10th the size of the tank. The more total system water volume the more stable it is. I'm not doing the gallons conversion for size/tank, but at least 12-15 gallons and the more the merrier. The more live rock, and (insert base here (mud, sand, clay litter)) the better. Please note that I have recently been educated on DSB (Deep sand base) by an authority and am no longer a fan of deep bases, even in fuge's.
I will admit that in the insanity of the deep night I have awakened pondering having an above ground pool installed in my basement as a fuge. I awaken and price it, consider the large quantity of live rock, and sand, and the effort of getting the pool shell into the basement (and not piercing it with the rock (and the resulting mess)) and hold off for another day.

Half of it is because I'd install 4-5 huge pumps to spin the water in the fuge in circles.

DIY maelstrom anyone?

 

well the fuge will be 14W x 16L x 14D that will give me a total volume of 13.5 gallons. I think i can fit this in the other side of my stand, will measure tonight when i get home. Goping to have it atleast cut out tomorrow if not completelly done.

 

14x14x16 Thats perfect sized for support of a 125 main tank. And a deep bed is a must here and this is the only area that a DSB should ever be employed and nothing living in there other then plants and sand fauna . No need for rocks and animals .. It when working at 100% pesk will look so nasty you would not want to put a hand in there.. I would cap a inch or two of cheap kitty liter clay/mud with 3 inches of fine sand or you can go all mud or all sand but 4 to 5" is what you want.

 

I agree with the Tangster 100%. I have a 6" DSB with cheato. I threw in a couple live rocks but it's not necessary. Don't be alarmed at seeing green hair algae or red slime algae. Just worry if they are in the display tank. I put a sheet of eggcrate that sticks up higher then the overflow to keep the cheato from falling into the filtration area.

 

ok guys, now the final million dollar question! Is 1/4 inch thick enough for the refuge?? I dont really have a choice except 1/4 and 1/2. Im not using 1/2. Let me know if you think 1/4 inch would be enough for the 16 long, 14 wide and 14 deep fuge...

 

acrylic? yes its thick enough

 

yeppers, acrylic