Need some help with my SUMP/REFUGIUM

[reefram95]

Hey guys!!! Id like to say you guys have a great forum going here and I hope you can help me out with a few questions. I Have a 125 gallon tank that I am slowly turning into a reef tank. I just bought a sump with a few compartments in it and now I am wondering what you guys think would be the best things to put inside. What would be the best light choice? I am hoping I can just put a few halegon lights in there. IS this enough? How deep of a bed of live sand should I put in there? Does there need to be any additional water movement in the sump other than the return pump? Should I be putting any crabs, or shrimps in the filter? I want to use an overflow box.. Are there any overflows that have two adapters so I can connect to seperate drain plugs? I plan to put some caulapra in the sump with the live sand and I am also debating whether or not I should place any addition live rock in the sump? I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback. If anyone needs to know some additional info about the tank to answer questions please let me know. Thanks ahead of time.
Dave

[FragOutpost]

It is a great idea to add a refugium to your set up. Do not use halogen lights as these will overheat your tank and provide very little usable light. I reccommend the bulbs listed here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=313318
I use these bulbs with great success.


You can run your fuge with a sand bed, bare bottom, or with the miracle mud. I think it comes down to personal preference as many have been successful using each.

In my opinion the best macro algae for a fuge is cheatomorpha. It grows fast, consumes nitrates, and will not go sexual like caulerpa.

As far as critters are concerned, you could put just about anything in there: crabs, snail, stars.

I hope this helps!