Please help with setup for a new 24" fuge for a 72g bow front

I have a 72g reef aquarium. 4 small fish and a Fluval FX5. I bought a PM fuge with all proper items (return pump, overflow box, etc). I am confused about the setup of the middle part.

1. how should I set up the fuge part? Should I use mud or sand or both or neither? There isn't much room but I want to make the best of it.

2. Do I still need mechanical filters somewhere? Like keeping my FX5.

Thanks

 

Not an expert, but as a fellow 72 bow front owner who is planning out a new sump and a refugium, I'll throw out there that you will want to decide if you want a deep sand bed (say 4- 6 inches) or a standard bed of 2 inches or less. Don't put in between 2.25 to 3.75 inches of sand, as that can cause issues with gas buildup etc. If you go deep, use as fine a substrate (sand) as you can get from what I've read. It's also ok to go with a bare bottom. Put in some live rock rubble (unless you go deep sand bed), some chaeto - and from there you are going to have to ask the others who know more than me at this point. I'll read their responses too maybe get some pods to seed the system, though ive ead these can ride in on cheato.

 

Thanks. The LFS mentioned something similar. Do you think the mud is necessary or a waist of time? The tank has been established for over 2 years but switching to a huge from a big can filter is new.

 

I'm still debating what to put in my new fuge as well. I've read a lot of mixed reviews on mud, but in particular several comments that the mud needs to be changed out fairly frequently, like 3 times a year. If you went with a dsb, and had the mud on the bottom, and then layers of argonite or fine sand on top I'm not even sure how you would accomplish this - major pain. In short, lots of people say to stay away from the mud.

My plan currently is just to put in 1.5inch of fine argonite in my fuge. I have low ph (7.8) and I hope that some additional crushed coral will help buffer. Going to probably dose some Kalk in my auto top off after I get the ph levels up.

 

No mud! Unless your wanting to grow mangroves. I'm running a 2" aragonite, LR rubble and chaeto. Perfect! Seeded with an order of pods from ReefCleaners. Perfect! Yup my fuge is perfect!! Lol