To Refugium or not Regugium

[cubereefer]

I am in the middle of a new build: 120 gallon (approx 30x30x30) corner cube. I currently have a 30 gallon sump, and was planning on using a good protein skimmer and pump to get 12gph exchange. I've heard good and bad about refugiums. Should I or should i not use one? What are some cost, time, maintenance, benefits etc. differences? Thanks for your input.

cubereefer

[carpenterwrasse]

1st welcome
2nd, a refugium is not a bad idea it helps give your pods a place to grow safely
3rd it will also add a place to grow yourself a good crop of macro algea that will help to maintain control of your nitrates and other bacteria.
4th the only cost extra that there will be in running it will be a cheap light to provide light for the macro and the cost of the power.

thats my take on it.
George

[Grue]

4th More volume of water (bigger is better)
5th An actual use other than storage for water I.e. thru live rock thru algae
With you adding a protein skimmer what are you going to do with all those extra tiny air bubbles? 3 baffles and most are gone. Personally (Awaiting the flames for this) I think it should be part of every system like a heater or Water =p you spoke of bad things about a referigum I have not read or heard 1 bad thing about them. Sure PEOPLE may put the wrong macro algae in and have problems when said algae release all those nutrients back into the water. But let

[cubereefer]

So are you recommending I don't use my protein skimmer because it would release air bubbles?

[cubereefer]

Thanks for both of your inputs. I think I am going to go with the 3 chamber set-up:

1) intake/skimmer
2) refuge
3)return

This seems to be what the healthy tanks are using. Since I'm setting up from scratch I may as well start with the sytem others seem to be converting to. Thanks again, this site is a great resource.

cubereefer

[dberrong]

I think what he was saying was if you don't have a sump then using a protein skimmer will fill your tank with air bubbles. The skimmer is essential, so a sump allows you to use the skimmer without visibly seeing all those bubbles in your tank.

[cubereefer]

Oh...I see. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'll be using a sump, so the three-chambers under the tank should be good. Thanks again for your input.

cubereefer

[dberrong]

No problem. I'm currently planning to install a sump under my 90gallon. I'm looking forward to seeing pix of yours. Are you building your own or using a glass tank?

[cubereefer]

I bought the tank: 30x30x30" cube, 5/8" tempered glass, diamond cut corners, corner overflow, corner unit. Sweet tank. It will give me about 2 1/4 feet of height to build the live-rock, and 3 feet of depth since it is a corner unit. With 2 viewing sides, it should be a fun one to build my living room around.

I'm building the stand and canopy myself. Here are some pics of some of the framing. It is further along than the pics...I got a lot done last night. I just have to pick out which kind of hard-wood I want for the paneling and cupboards. I should have it built, stained, sealed and the live-rock running by Sunday.

[spookey]

good job...and welcome cubereefer

[Reptoreef]

Very sturdy frame! Those 4x4's are some tuff stuff!

[dberrong]

That's some nice carpentry. Get it done already so we can see it up and running. :)