Setting up a refugiun this weekend

[Castlesmadeofsand]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I just got a large hang on refugium in the mail last night and I plan on setting it up this weekend. I got some mineral mud and some extra live rock I plan on throwing in there. Any info anyone wants to share? I plan on doing a fairly deep bed of mud and throwing in some plants and a rock or two. Should I put a snail or anything in there? I plan on ordering a bottle of seapods to put in there but for this weekend I'll just get some off the pad in my sump.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I can't wait to see how this turns out because if all goes well I might turn this extra 28 gallon into a refugium for the next tank I get.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#As always ANY information is welcome#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dakar]

Let's see some pictures when you get it set up

I'm considering adding a HOT refuge for my daughters 10g nano tank, it's in her room so a sump is out of the question at this point.

[Castlesmadeofsand]

What is a HOT refugium?
As for pics, I'll steal a digi cam from my parents house if I dont buy one this weekend.

[PhatBrdr427]

man talk about a big baller over here... just buying everything left and right. haha I im interested to see how you set up your refuge. Also where would you order a bottle of seapods. Thanks

[dakar]

HOT = Hang On Tank

Welcome to the money pit

[Castlesmadeofsand]

HOT = Hang On Tank#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Welcome to the money pit

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#LOL, money pit...yeah.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I go into my LFS and say "I'm here for my crack fix."#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Castlesmadeofsand]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Ugh! My skimmer won't fit in my sump, because its too tall and it can't hang on the back of my tank because my refuge takes up the whole back of the tank. I don't know what to do. Maybe I should return the hang on refugium and hang my skimmer on the back. I could always switch my wet dry to a refuge later. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#If I switched from a wet dry to a refugium would that screw anything up?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[dakar]

How much too tall is the skimmer? Did you buy it new (can it be returned for a different model)? If not new maybe there is a way you can cut down the collection cup or something to make it fit if's only a tad too tall... just some thoughts.

Switching over from the wet/dry filter will likely only help matters. They tend to become nitrate factories quickly.

[Castlesmadeofsand]

I ended up opting out of the HOT refuge. I hooked the skimmer up on the
back instead. I think I'll switch my wet dry for a refugium when I get
my next check.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
When I switch, will there be big spikes or changes in my water? Or is it usually a pretty quick and painless switch.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#

[dakar]

You may see some changes in the nitrate levels if you just remove the wet dry from the system. There are many different types of setups for them, what does your wet/dry consist of as far as filtering mechanisms,,, ie.. filter pads, bioballs, carbon? If it's components it may be better to remove portions/stages of the filtering over a period of time to allow the tank to start building up the necessary bacteria to handle the workload the wet/dry is doing now.