Sump, Refugium or both ?

[w7afm]

Just a question or a thought, for me that is dangerous, LOL. Right now I am setting up a 180 All Glass with 2 outlets 1 in each corner of the tank going into a sump with Bio-Balls, a dual chamber Bio-Ball area. I have been reading about Refugiums and they seem to do different things then just a wet/dry system. Has anyone tried to run a sump and a refugium inline together? Is this a good idea or just a passing thought?

Bob

[JustDavidP]

Both

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Fuged.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/runnin.jpg

And do yerself a favor... dump the bioballs... use live rock instead.

Dave

[w7afm]

I should get rid of the Bio-Balls in my main wet/dry sump? I know I need to have live rock in the refugium

[Iconz]

yeah, bioballs are just a "bad bacteria" farm. Too many dead spots, etc...

[Fatman]

Both, I have bio-balls because thats how I started the tank, and if its not broke dont fix it ;)

The Refugium with a reverse lighting system helps balance PH alot!

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/fatty0203/setup.jpg

[Sweetpea]

Those are all great photos illustrating different methods... they are greatly appreciated! If anyone has other pics to post, PLEASE do!!! :)

[melev]

Have you gotten lost on my site yet? http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

I recommend a sump & refugium, but not bioballs. Those are really not a good choice for a reef tank as they add non-stop nitrates to the water.

[w7afm]

I have been on your site, a lot to read and take in. I'm not lost yet. You have a very interesting web site. Thanks for all your time in keeping up a site with all the information that you have.

Bob

[melev]

Here are two more pages that you may have seen already, but just in case:

http://www.melevsreef.com/install_sump.html
http://www.melevsreef.com/280g/280g_sump.html

I got your email but haven't had time to reply yet.

[w7afm]

Hello again Marc, yes I have read those articles. I really don't think there is not any write-up or articles that I have not read on your site. Once again I want to thank you for your site. It has let me get my mind working on overtime on what I want to do. A fast question for you, do you think that 80 pounds of Fiji LR in a 180 is a good start or should I order 120 pounds?

Bob

[melev]

Bob, honestly for any reef tank, I recommend 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon. So I would like to see you with 200lbs of LR in your tank to have good biological filtration.

Fiji is my favorite, one of your emailed questions. Tonga is nice if you like some branching. And I really encourage getting LR, not base rock. Since it is the main filtration, it should be your primary focus rather than something to skimp upon.

200lbs doesn't look like much, believe it or not. And if you have hobbyists in your area, you can buy it used (those leaving the hobby or downgrading tanks) for about $2 - $3 per pound. If it has a lot of algae, there is a procedure called 'cooking liverock' that will solve that problem and make the rock like new again, without killing the bacteria.

[w7afm]

Marc, I didn't read anything on your web site about "cooking live rock" I will have to do some research and see what I can find out about this "cooking live rock". Thanks for the information on the pounds of LR I should get and yes Fiji is my favorite. I have already set aside the base rock that I have. I was going to go with nothing but LR and LS in the tank, sump and refugium.

Bob

[melev]

Bob, here's a link to cooking LR: http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?p=109759#109759

[w7afm]

Thank you very much I have been looking all over the different sites with no luck. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Bob

[hummer]

yes thanks marc im glag you came too this fourm...:):):)

[JustDavidP]

yes thanks marc im glag you came too this fourm...:):):)

*said in his best slang* You ain't kiddin...

I've used Marc's info for a looong time. Even being over there *pointing to the big state*, he often visited our Boston Reefers forum and provided advice. There were a couple of times I was going to give up on things (like my mandarin..when he stopped taking frozen foods for a while) and he came through with solid advice. There's nothing better for the hobby, than to have someone who knows his stuff, and can put it into "lay terms" for the masses.

Dave

[melev]

I'd blush, but I'm too tired. LOL

Thanks guys.

[hummer]

lol..lol