Nano refugium

[labooe43]

I want to set-up a refugium for my 12 Ga nano reef. Would like some input from other than my LFS on the matter. Any thoughts? Concerns?

[RobinsonFam1]

i have a 5 mini bow that has i 2.5 gal sump/fuge. i have noticed it is much easier to keep the tank consistent with temp, ph and less problems. our sps and softies are much happier since i added the fuge.

basically what i did was made 2 baffles, one for the drain line coming in and the other for the return section with a submersible pump. i have a diy skimmer that is fed from the drain area and it drains to the fuge section then all returns to the tank.

hope that made sense!?
BR

[format32]

Just go with an ac300 or 500 and call it good.


http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/show...ighlight=ac500

[labooe43]

What is the purpose of having a refugium and what does it do for an aquarium. Forgive the ingorance, kinda new to this hobby.

[RobinsonFam1]

keyword: refugium=refuge= safe place.
basically they are to keep the algae (macro and caulerpa) in there and not the display tank. you can also house other thing in there as well but it has a slower flow than a sump. by putting nutrient thriving items in there you are creating another filter that operates on its own more of less. this is the crash course here. hope this helps a bit.

BR

[sammy33]

Is your 12g a Nano Cube? If so you will limited to setting up a sump style 'fuge like RobinsonFam1 described with a siphon and return. The hood on the nano cube limits any type of hang on tank equipment use.

Here is a pic of my hang on back refugium (eco system style from ebay) that I added to my 15g. This one is great with the separate light running on a revers cycle from the tank. This keeps the pH nice and stable at 8.1-8.2 and provides plently of pods and other planktonic life for the tank. My goby is getting fat off of the mysid shrimp!

[Clownfishman]

I need to get me some live mysis and stick in my refugium...

[labooe43]

So do the pods and planktonic life automatically develop and flow into the main tank? or is it just a breeding ground that you have to initiate and then transfer the edables to the main tank?