Water flow in 'fuges

Phischy

Phischy

New Member
What is ideal water flow in a 'fuge as a gph/volume? I'm thinking of turning my 15gal sump into a 'fuge/planted tank and I was curious as to how much water I should be flowing through it. I know it can't be too vigirous or the 'pods will get dizzy and unhappy. I don't need it to be Hurricane Ivan in there.

I plan on adjusting a line off my main pump in my 40gallon tank. If I relocate it, it should be pushing about 700gph so I'd have to regulate off that into the 2nd tank. I'm not in a real rush to do this as I'm still setting up the main tank and the cost, is well, up there.

THanks
 
djconn

djconn

New Member
I would think that your intake and outtake would create enough current/movement in there especially since fuges are typically lower-light than the main tank. Just try it out and if you keep getting huge algae blooms then maybe rethink things. Anyone else have experiece with a 15 gal fuge like Phischy?
 
R

Ritsuko Nashida

New Member
Moving the water flow through too fast will not allow for nutrient take up (very well anyways) from Macro-Algaes or Mangroves and live rock rubble. I think a flow level thats about 3 times to 5 (times at the most) of your main display would probably be best. In most of my tanks that have refugiums, and all but a couple do, I generally shoot for about 3 - 3.5 times turn over rate per an hour and this has seemed to work well for me. Of course each tank is somewhat different and as such will respond differently to a degree or another, so what works for me may not quiet give you the same results.

I think that Refugiums are an immeasuable asset to any tank and strongly recommend them for anyone who has the time and space to set one up. Its made maintaining excellent water quality so much easier.

What ever route you decide to go, good luck and keep us posted!
 
Phischy

Phischy

New Member
Thanks for the advice. I do plan to set up one but it won't be for awhile as I've got the get the main tank up and running for a month or so. I keep having delays in getting my live rock to cycle the tank, but since I'm getting it so cheap I really can't complain. This sunday I'll probably get it unless there is a problem with the store recieving their shipment etc...

On the plus side I won't have to buy a huge expensive pump for the 'fuge and I suppose I should also ask my dad to build me a small stand like the one con has for his 2.5(?), looks pretty neat and won't be expensive to ship.

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P

Physh1

New Member
Baffling is really key IMO, as has been noted. After dealing with hundreds of fuges in all sorts of common and awkward sizes I've noticed actual GPH levels really don't mean much.....keeping the flow from bashing critters is key.

I think I messed around with the baffling on my AC500 fuge for about 2 weeks before I got it to a point where I could run good flow and not cause any problems with the critters in there. There is too much flow though....as noted, for good nutirent absorbtion a lower flow rate is more desired.

I've always done these by how the fuge reacts...not by GPH per volume measurements.

Cameron
 
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