How do you set up a sump and refugium?
Now it’s this second chamber where you’re going to want to install your refugium. Now the back holes in your sump ensure a gentle water flow through the refugium.
Do I need filter socks if I have a refugium?
A filter sock is not necessary for a saltwater reef tank. A filter sock can be used to remove larger organic debris but there is no need if you have other methods of removing them such as protein skimmers, clean-up crew, or healthy bacteria in your tank.
How do I install a wet/dry sump?
Place the filter lid on the sump. Add a skimmer in the third chamber of the sump. Place the sump into your stand and attach the overflow. And return pump connections to your aquarium.
Are wet/dry filters good for freshwater aquariums?
Wet/Dry Filters Explained: Wet/dry filters provide a significant source of biological filtration for larger aquariums. They are great for freshwater and saltwater fish-only aquariums or any large aquarium setup that demands efficient biological filtration.
Should protein skimmer be before or after refugium?
In most common saltwater aquarium setups the protein skimmer will come first before the refugium. In many saltwater aquarium sumps, the largest chamber is the second chamber and a protein skimmers though varied in size will only fit in the second chamber before the refugium.
Should I put substrate in refugium?
Substrate. Many refugiums do not have substrate, but these are often the least aesthetically pleasing. If a refugium does have substrate, it is most often the same as the display tank. Having a substrate in a refugium, like crushed aragonite or sand, is often ideal because it acts like a giant filter pad.
Can you run a sump without filter socks?
My answer is always, no, unless you are a reef junkie. In its simpliest sense, a filter sock is a tube sock looking piece of mesh or felt that goes below your downpipe on your tank so that as the water falls from your tank to your sump, it has to pass through the sock.
Do filter socks cause nitrates?
Filters socks can be nitrate traps/factories if you do not change them out. Buy more than one. Choose the right size for your sump. Use multiple socks when appropriate.
How does wet dry filter work?
Aquarium Wet Dry Filters How do they Work – YouTube
What is a wet dry sump filter?
Wet/Dry sumps (trickle filters) are great for freshwater or saltwater fish only aquariums. These filters use a drip tray to spread drain water from the aquarium out over the bio-balls below so that the inhabiting nitrifying bacteria can process fish waste.
How does a wet dry filter work?
Are sumps better than canister filters?
Saltwater tanks CAN be run with an external canister filter, but anything larger than a 100 litres may may require additional filtration capacity. Saltwater aquariums require good water flow as well as low nutrient levels, and for that reason sumps are generally regarded as superior in this application.
Should I put snails in my refugium?
To Snail or Not to Snail
Once in the main tank, snails can either function to remove algae or as fish food. But if using the refugium to cycle, filter and maintain balance in a main saltwater tank, algae and plant-eating organisms, such as snails, should be limited.
Can refugium replace protein skimmer?
They both do great things but very differently. A skimmer will remove organics before they break down, and a refugium will remove them after. The benefit of the skimmer in that regard is that the nitrates stay lower to begin with, where a refugium needs nitrates so it has to compete with algae in the display.
Should I put live rock in my refugium?
Live rock can be a great substrate to use in the bottom of your refugium. Live rock in the refugium gives additional space for helpful bacteria to populate and serves as a main nutrient exporter in the reef aquarium. Live rock can also house microfauna like copepods and amphipods.
What do you put inside a refugium?
Best items to put in a refugium:
- Macroalgae such as sea lettuce or chaeto.
- Live rock rubble or manufactured biological media.
- Microfauna such as copepods and amphipods.
- A powerful refugium light with a means of automatically controlling its on/off cycle.
What can I use instead of a filter sock?
The Filter Media Cup is an ideal and cost-effective replacement to filter socks as well. If all you want is to polish the water of free-floating particles, then place a few handfuls of filter floss in the cup and simply replace the dirty filter media every few days.
How often should I change my filter sock in sump?
every 3-5 days
As a filter sock clogs up, it is important to remove them to effectively export waste from the aquarium. It is recommended that you remove clogged-up filter socks and replace them with a clean one every 3-5 days.
How do you use a wet/dry vac?
Housekeeping Tips : How to Use a Wet Dry Vac – YouTube
What is wet dry sump?
How do you make a wet/dry filter?
HOW TO: build an aquarium sump cheaply – trickle tower wet dry …
What is a wet dry filter aquarium?
A wet/dry filter is, by far, the best filter you can put on any aquarium that does not have live plants or coral in it. Wet/Dry filters usually consist of an acrylic box that sits beneath the aquarium. Water is drained from the aquarium and directed to the filter via an overflow box.
Can I use a canister filter with a sump?
Over time, you’ll either run the sump dry causing a flood from the display tank, or you’ll remove too much water from the display tank overflowing the sump and causing a flood from the sump. Yes, you can use a canister filter as a return pump, but even there you do need to be careful.
Do I need a protein skimmer with a canister filter?
A protein skimmer performs the job of a canister filter and more. It breaks down the waste in your aquarium and removes it before they can turn into harmful toxins. But only a protein skimmer cannot keep your aquarium clean, although this is dependent on the needs of your aquarium.
What do you put in a sump refugium?
What will you put in the refugium? You can use plain sand which you can buy new or use left over sand. Another option is refugium mud, which is said to be better than regular sand. You could leave it at that or go further and buy rock or use left over rock.