Refugium only systems

[FreshSaltH2o]

Is anyone running a system with a Well grown fuge to maintain their reef tank?
No skimmer no filter sock.
Mind sharing your experience. Im looking to change my sump into a full refugium underneath. Curious to know if this is a good idea or should i stick with my small fuge. Skimmer and reactor.

[SD-Kid]

Interesting . Tagging along to hear some feedback


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[Redryder87]

Me too. Sounds awesome.


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[ReefDiving]

I do fuge only on my 100 gallon reef, Los and softy tank only. Tank just passed a year old and does phenomenal. Very good grow out and very little algae problem. And I only water change once every month or so. Tank thrives

[FreshSaltH2o]

I do fuge only on my 100 gallon reef, Los and softy tank only. Tank just passed a year old and does phenomenal. Very good grow out and very little algae problem. And I only water change once every month or so. Tank thrives

so it is possible did some google reaserch theres ppl out there doing it with sps and it looks promising
Would love to see how you set yours up. Also anyone here doing the same with sps /lps tank

[sdnd]

i've tried this once on my tank...but i think i didn't have enough macro in my sump yet...but it was ok...fish are much happier with the skimmer running...plus i think with running a heavy bioload and heavy feeding it didn't work out for me...

maybe one day i'll give it another go around...

can't wait to see what your results are if you decide to go this route....probably depends on your load as well.

[jkennedy1007]

Run both , I've tried without nightmare! uphill battle ;[

Most skimmers only skim 30% of system due to the input venturi pump being so small.

[crabbysd]

Ive researched the miracle mud/Ecosystem method.(check them out)
I am going with the modified Planette method(large fuge/skimmer on a timer). My skimmer tunze 9006 will run full time till the macros grow in and the DSB and micro fauna get going and then run on a timer. Could be months till then.

There is an article I am looking for that has a beautiful sps dominant mixed reef that the owner started this way. the full blown skimmer sump fuge (berlin method) and over the years (4 to i recall) he claimed he almost never skims unless he needs to or working in the tank, because of the amount of micro floura and fauna .

It seems it's very possible but takes time for the natural process to establish.

[crabbysd]

I do fuge only on my 100 gallon reef, Los and softy tank only. Tank just passed a year old and does phenomenal. Very good grow out and very little algae problem. And I only water change once every month or so. Tank thrives

whats the capacity of your fuge?

[kayakNCSD]

I want to,see,more,on this thread. Its,my understanding,this was the high-tech standard for reefing. Or early reef keeping in 80's but that is just my regurgitated understanding from a reputable old timer. I'm a complete refugium nerd and while heartedly believe its possible

[FreshSaltH2o]

I now am running a refugium only system with lps sps zoas acans nems chalices wellso everyone is happy and doing awesome low matinence and loaded with pods i mean seriously loaded lots of liverock sandbed and macros
No skim no reactor no filter sock

[kayakNCSD]

That's my style would love to see pics. And to hear your specs. Pumps specs. Refugium design.

[FreshSaltH2o]

Sure shoot me a text for pics 8586688527 (not the cleanest setup)
Very simple 25 gal fuge one baffle for return
Small sandbed lots of liverock c brachyus cheato red bubble macro and dragons tongue.
5%water change every other month if that

[kayakNCSD]

Will do

[crabbysd]

I've been experimenting in the DT the last couple of weeks by turning the skimmer off and waiting for the algae in the dt to grow before turning it on again.
(55g DT 30g fuge/w 27ish gal DSB in both,and Tunze 9004 skimmer its underrated or right on the edge, Excellent skimmer BTW, easy to adjust from IPA dark to MUD)
My little display fuge is growing very very well and have lots of life blooming, thats part of the reason I turned it off.
Its been about six weeks since I started the experiment. Just judging by eye the main difference Ive seen is what the skimmer is off the DT algae grows more and the glass needs cleaning more often.
This week I finally saw some red cyano, tiny bit in the fuge and some in the display and turned the skimmer on. BTW no exess or noticeable detritus build up in the fuge or DT

Curiously during the skimmer OFF cycle, one of my scallops is now sick.
I have a LOT of clams oysters muscles stars sponges and featherdusters plus the new Gorgs, so I do worry about over skimming. So I would have thought loss would occur during the skimming cycle.

That being said I was gifted a lot of new livestock so I'm now modifing my feeding routine to promote growth and breeding(not quite over feeding close though) and adjusting to a wetter skim for the next 2 weeks.
The fuge now has soo many feather dusters and the bubble wall into the fuge is covered in pineapples,(my pre filter).

I'll look at it next week and if all is well Ill let it go again for another week then shut off the skimmer for 2 weeks.

Meanwhile my SPS tank, 29 JBJ cube has had a crap skimmer from the start been using sponge filter socks. its packed with pods the chato n calurpa is growing great, water changes etc, but Ive been battling cyano for weeks.
Black sand, no DSB, back chambers packed with live rock n chato. running GFO.
= brown SPS
Go figure