refugium

[michael grady]

I going to try and add a refugium to my setup. My sump is about 30 gallons, with several campartments. My questions are as follows:

Is a refugium to be part of the sump or is it separate from the sump altogether?

And what about algae scrubbers?

Is anyone using these, and do people use both refugiums and algae scrubbers or is that redundant?

Could you commet on type of light and photoperiod for the refugium? Anyone able to post photos?

Thanks so much!

Michael

 

[markg]

I believe you can put it as a part of your sump...just supplements to provide good bacteria and such

 

[michael grady]

So I bought a 40 tank yesterday to use as the refugium. I plan to put it above the sump and let it gravity feed in via a stand pipe.

I wanted to ask, again, about lighting it. John - you mentioned a 150 watt compact flourescent. Is that a Home Depot item? What about some of the larger LED light HD sells? Do I need a certain spectrum of light for the macro algae? like 5000k?

Thanks again...

 

[db366]

The best is 6500k

 

[michael grady]

can i get 6500 k in led or cfl? how many watts would you suggest over a 40 gal long...i"ll prob run about 30 gals of water in it.

 

[db366]

CFL yes, they have just the screw in ones for sure at HD/lowes.

 

[michael grady]

Thanks...I'll check them out.

 

[jead85]

For a 40 gal refuge I would say two of the par38 style floodlight at 6500k if not more

 

[realfish]

jead85;718192 wrote: For a 40 gal refuge I would say two of the par38 style floodlight at 6500k if not more

I would agree with two. I had a small refugium compartment in my old sump and basically used one of the 6500k floodlight style bulbs put into a bedside lamp fixture I had bought from Ikea for another purpose. It actually worked better and was more flexible than the small Current T5 fixture I originally used.

 

[johnmackay70]

A full spectrum bulb is not needed for a Refugium, you can get away with a bulb in the 3500K spectrum - remember, you are grouwing macro algae, not coral in a fuge - a full spectrum bulb (5000k) or higher wont hurt, but the macros will probably do better with a lower spectrum bulb.

 

[jead85]

Read: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html</a>
This looks like enough proof that the higher k does better

 

[eagle9252]

HD does not have the 6500K CFl but walmart does. it's like 8.00 for 2 at 100w. and a reflector clamp light for 8.00. all I can say is big difference when I turned mine on

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[rdnelson]

First glance at the picture and I thought I was looking at Animal from the Muppets. Anyone else see that???? Sorry, just had to share my sick mind with you all for a moment.

 

[db366]

I saw some at HD and Lowes the other day. I ended up getting this..

http://www.sjkaquatics.com/per32996.html?gclid=CPDvqLTdp60CFVCR7QodWnKPnw">http://www.sjkaquatics.com/per32996.html?gclid=CPDvqLTdp60CFVCR7QodWnKPnw</a>

for mine.

 

[johnmackay70]

jead85;718202 wrote: Read: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html">http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html</a>
This looks like enough proof that the higher k does better[/QUOTE]


good to know - thanks