polleke Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Hi all, Since I am still planning my first tank this maybe a stupid question, but does the return pump of a refugium kills the pods on the way to the main tank? My sump/refugium would mostly be used as a place for small critters (pods etc) to reproduce and then serve as live food. But is this still live food when it enters the main tank which is about 3 feet higher? Thanks! Paul. Link to comment
eklikewhoa Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I think it might kill some but I have noticed pods making it from my fuge to the display with no problems. Link to comment
polleke Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 Ok, thats good, otherwise I would have to place the refugium on top of the main tank and that would make it a lot bulkier. Thanks! Link to comment
smedge Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I have read reports that the shear forces in a pump can kill as many as 90% of small aquatic life that passes through them. However that doesnt seem to be what I am experiencing. I tons of live copepods and amphipods (and hydroids) in my display undamaged and have seen practically no dead ones. A lot of people apparently do run the fuge above the display so that flow can take the critters down, but in most people's etups thats not very practical. Link to comment
mmelnick Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I dont know how many of my critters are killed by the force of the water in the plumbing, but this method will prevent them from being ran through a pump. just use a t-fitting and the water rushing up the plumbing will suck some of the water from the fuge chamber with it. It creates a siphon so you can have a fuge that is below your show tank and still not run these little guys through a pump. I have been asked why the pump wouldnt just pump water back into the fuge and I am not sure why it doesnt. I just know that it works for me. Edit: photo did not work Link to comment
coolwaters Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 shouldnt that pump be in a return chamber? Link to comment
mmelnick Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 shouldnt that pump be in a return chamber? Probably. I just don't like to have so many chambers because it causes the last one to be so small. This causes it to dry out faster. If I don't do a top off for 2 days it would dry out. As is I can dry up after about 3 days. If I had a smaller chamber at the end I would be screwed if I ever went on vacation. Link to comment
Rehype Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I think it might kill some but I have noticed pods making it from my fuge to the display with no problems. +1 Ive been keeping a mandarin for a couple of months and i always find him munching on pods that have made their way from the fuge back into the display. Link to comment
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