Q about Refugium Height - new to fuges, need help/advice/info pls

[memorisa]

Hi all,

I have recently changed my sump and added a refugium which is fed by a 1000 lt/hr (about 264 gal/hr) pump which pumps to the chiller first and the output hose from the chiller comes to the refugium.

The dimensions of the refugium is approx. 14 x 24 x 16 inches (L x W x H) I tried to maximize the height under the stand in order to max the total water volume while leaving myself enough to work in the ref. if needed.

But now I am starting to worry - no ill signs yet, just me being paranoid perhaps? but wanted to ask you guys' opinions on it.

The height of the water is about 16 inches. The incoming hose goes in the water only a couple inches, and the drain back to the sump is located high up as well. On the opposite corners tho.

There are no powerheads only flow is the from the incoming hose.
I am starting to worry that there may not be enough flow - I had read that the lower the flow is better in fuges but is this too low? (I also doubt its 1000 lt/hr since its being pumped to the chiller and back) and would it be a problem if its only flow up top and not enough in the bottom?

The lights I have there are 3x21w white t5s. (not sure of kelvin values but they are kind of old)

I have chaeto, red macro algae and a small patch of maiden's hair. I also have a seahorse and 2 lettuce nudis that hitchhiked their way in and am trying to propagate. The bottom has a aragonite sand bed that's about 8-11 cm (about 4 inches).

Any input/comments/advice is much appreciated. I am new to the refugiums but definitely willing to learn.

Thank you very much in advance,

 

[MikeB]

IMO, you have to much gph going in to the fuge. Water needs time to be in the Fuge for the "Fuge Magic" to happen. Also IMO the lights are overkill.

I would also put like a Maxijet 1200 or a Koralia #1 for added flow. Without flow you will eventually have crazy cyano breakouts on your Cheato Ball.

 

[memorisa]

Thanks Browns. I am actually going to test the incoming amount of water with a gph meter, i had gotten a few months back but never even opened the box - can be that lazy at times

also correct me if i am wrong, the GPH going in is the most important as opposed to GPH within the tank (as far as fuge magic is concerned?) I am also worried that a powerhead would blow the sand around or just cause surface flow (increase it but won't really help the bottom and the DSB)

what got me thinking initially was the fact that most RDSBs (especially those in buckets) have very little water (heightwise) above the sand as opposed to mine.

 

[MikeB]

I wun a Koralia #1 in mine with no sand storm. The water trickles into the fuge which means it will trickle back in to the sump.