Fishkeeping - Refugium Size

KurtG wrote:

Sorry, yet another newbie question: For about 200 gallon setup (110 +
a hypothetical second tank), how big of a refugium do I need?

I just ordered some copepods, so I know I'll need some sort of setup soon.

--Kurt

Kurt,

Very good question. To be honest there is no set size for a fuge. Even
on that size of a system a 1 gallon fuge if setup correctly will add
pods to the system, and if you use it as an algae filter it will help,
but of course a 500 gallon fuge would be better.

My suggestion is to go as large as you can, same as with the sump. More
water means more stability. Larger fuge means more pods and if used as
an algae filter, means less algae in the main tank.

Just for an example I have a system with 180 + 125 and 2 25 gallon
tanks that has a 3 gallon hang on fuge. The 180 has one corner of the
tank that gets sun light through the window. (this is a fish only
system not reef). The corner that gets sun light was covered in algea
on a daily basis until I installed the fuge, which is 6 x 6 x 24 long
with 2 24 inch vho plant bulbs on it. After installing the fuge I only
have to clean that 180 every week or so rather than every day. Now if I
had a larger fuge (algea filter) it would work even better.

Kim