Refugium Depth

[CheyDogFlies]

I am designing a refugium for my tank and would like some opinions on refugium depth for a deep sand bed with chaeto. I have quite a bit of vertical space available and have been using google sketchup (a bit slow since this is the first time I'm using it) to come up with my design.

The difficulty I am having is deciding how deep the water should be above the sand bed. With my current design (assuming a 4" sand bed), that depth would be 15-16" from water surface to sand! That seems crazy deep to me, but I have never had anything other than a wet/dry sump before now. Is there some kind of generally accepted/ideal depth? Perhaps I could shorten my design...

[Thomas]

When I was researching my sump/refugium plans, most people said that if you went with chaeto, to use a bare bottom. You want mild flow to this area and want the chaeto to role and tumble around in a ball. The purpose being so all parts of the ball are exposed to light.

[CheyDogFlies]

Originally Posted by Thomas

When I was researching my sump/refugium plans, most people said that if you went with chaeto, to use a bare bottom. You want mild flow to this area and want the chaeto to role and tumble around in a ball. The purpose being so all parts of the ball are exposed to light.

I can certainly do both, as I have a two-chambered refuge (in addition to the two skimmer and return areas). The idea of my two-chambered refuge is for a separate quarantine area--both chambers are approx 10g. One can be a deep sand bed, one can be bare with chaeto. Would that be counterproductive?

[Thomas]

I would wait for some expert advice. I am going with what I've read and not personal experience. I built my sump with three chambers. Overflow and skimmer, return area, and refugium. I used duel returns with limited flow to refugium area. I also went with a reverse light cycle on the refugium area. I did not notice any pH stabilization with that for the night time like I had hoped. My Chaeto has disappeared into nothingness over the last few months. I don't know why. I had a nice PC light directly over the Chaeto ball.

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by Thomas

My Chaeto has disappeared into nothingness over the last few months. I don't know why. I had a nice PC light directly over the Chaeto ball.

The sump on my 75 has a bare bottom fuge for the chaeto. I used a cheapo metal halide flood light from Lowes and that sucker grows like a weed.

[2manyhobbies]

I have a three-chambered refugium. The first is for the return and skimmer, the second for the refuge and the third is the return. The second chamber has about 1 inch of sand, some LR rubble and Chaeto. I purchased the Chaeto about 1 month ago and it has doubled in size. It doesn't roll but ends up near the overflow to the return chamber. Occaisionally I move it around so it gets enough light. My lights are also on the reverse cycle but don't see much in the way of ph stabalization. Also have snails and amphipods living there too.

[Thomas]

Do you have the model number of the light you use? And what bulb you put in it?

[ChuckG]

I've posted this before "in my build thread".

If you want a kick butt fuge light - go for this one from Home Depot.



Specs from Lights of America website.



Grows chaeto like this.

[Thomas]

Thanks Chuck, I'm headed there tomorrow, or Lowes for a new light for the kitchen anyway. I have several projects to complete before putting the house up for sale.

[Thomas]

Just picked one up. Looks like it's going to work great. One question. How high above the water did you hang this light.
By the way Chuck, Do you have any 24" light fixtures laying around you would like to sell?