High flow refugium?

Discussion in 'Coral Health' started by Ashevillian, Jan 21, 2012.

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  1. Ashevillian

    Ashevillian Pajama Cardinal

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    To prevent detritus from collecting and to help the biological fitration withing my live rocks and live sand, would it be a good idea to put a small powerhead inside my refugium to get things stirring a bit?

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  3. tattoolew

    tattoolew Sea Dragon

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    I believe refugiums are meant to be low flow, but maybe it could work.
     
  4. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    I've read somewhere that you can put a small one in to help tumble the chaeto!
     
  5. Ashevillian

    Ashevillian Pajama Cardinal

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    chaeto is nearly underneath the intake so it's got a pretty good thing going for it.
     
  6. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    It's usually not advised to put a blender in a refugium.
     
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  7. Ashevillian

    Ashevillian Pajama Cardinal

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    +1 very good point!
     
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  9. SnooknRedz

    SnooknRedz Vlamingii Tang

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    I dont see how a maxi jet set for powerhead/ water pump mode will be a blender. im sure that or maybe even the koralia picos will give u some flow, but not too much.

    you dont need a power head like the evo's or one with an exposed prop. I dont see how it would be a blender (evos yeah i can see what your talking about lol). it it starts growing into it, just do some hair cuts, there needed anyway as to always stay growing and healthy.
     
  10. SPINNER

    SPINNER Fire Shrimp

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    High Flow

    Hello,

    Flow thru our refugium is alway's a hot topic with many members on both sides of the fence. I am on the far right of the high flow side myself and have had great success with this part of my systems.
    It is truly a each to their own type thing:)
    You can always build an egg crate cage to hold algae keeping away from powerhead if you choose to add one.
     
  11. Ashevillian

    Ashevillian Pajama Cardinal

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    Thanks for chiming in on this one I was hoping I would get your opinion! I was just thinking how even a smaller powerhead(One like a 425gph) wouldn't really cause much current but would give a little more turbulance.

    I think I will, once my fuge has settled in a little bit, go ahead and throw in the powerhead. I have one that the suction cup bracket broke off so it just dangles in the water, ugly in a DT but I guess it'd be perfect in a fuge

    Thanks everyone for the comments and 414-242, still looking forward to what you decide to unveil to 3reef 8)
     
  12. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    If you are having problems with detritus settling, then reduce how much you put through. Flow "through" the fuge is a river. Flow "in" the fuge is a blender. High flow through the fuge is debatable... regardless both camps run successful systems so take your pick.

    But putting powerheads in the fuge defeats what the purpose of the fuge is. A refugium is a peaceful place free from predation for pods to grow... that includes whirling impellers.

    You can also use filters. I personally don't like them, but some use them. Other then that... if you have detritus building up on your sand bed, you need to lower the amount you send to it, or increase the amount that can be processed by the microfauna... worms. But I don't see any sand bed in your fuge.

    And as far as live rock in your fuge... it is unnecessary for habitat and it is a detritus magnet, slowing down flow and causing settling. You could remove that for free and help things out.