How much sand in tank vs refuge

[andestang]

Going get my 150g going in the next couple of weeks. I got thinking :rolleyes: :mrgreen: about how to distibute my sand between my tank and refuge. I really don't want just a glass bottom to my tank so how much sand should put in the tank vs the refuge ? Also starting hear alot more about the debate over having a really deep sand bed - :question:
thanks, Ande

[Aquattro]

When I first setup my 155g, I used about 1.5 - 2 inches of sand. I was really happy with that. Dr. Ron convinced me I should add more. I have seen no beefit since adding 2 more inches. To do it again, I would stay where I was.

[Toooloud]

i just finished setting up a 150G, 48x30x24 and im running 3 inch sand bed.. in the main tank, and in myr refugium im still setting up im running a 40 gallon tank and its going to be a 8 inch sand bed.. just becouse it going to give more room for pods to grow and populate

[Canadian Man]

Hey Ande.
Well the new 230 has about 2 inches in the main tank and the fuge got the old sand from the 90g so it has about 3 inches

[Wilty]

I plan on running something similar to Toooloud. 2" sand bed in the main tank and in the sump/ref I was thinking 4" to 6".

[Bob I]

Just as a matter of interest, I usually run a four inch sandbed. I have just added my 12" CPR refugium to my 10 gallon nano. I am putting a four inch sandbed into the refugium so I can decrease the height of the sandbed in the nano. That is jut to give me more room in the tank. :biggrin:

[StirCrazy]

I have a 6" sand bed and when I move my tank I am taking 4" out. I think a 2" bed is all you need in either tank or refuge.

If you are setting up a refuge for growing pods as aposed to algae, you want to use coarser grains of sand to allow for larger pods.

Steve

[andestang]

thanks for the replies, I'm kinda leaning for the 2" in the tank and 4" to 6" in the refuge. Now to settle on the size of the refuge - I have 50 g that fits just nicely under the main tank - but do want it all for a refuge or split it up for a sump/refuge combo :confused: :question:
Ande

[monza]

In my 110gal. I went with the glass bottom and in the refugium/ sump which is approximatley 70gal. I have 4 inch sand bed.

I like the set up, it enables lots of current for the corals. I also have lots of live rock, so I don't think the glass bottom looks so bad.

Dave

[Skimmerking]

in my 280 i have about 3' of sand 1-1.5 " of GEO marine CC on the bottom and 1.5" of argonite.
I'm going to switch and have 1" just to cover the bottom and the LS in rubber maid 55gal containers have them connected by bulkheads and have the other one with the heaters, and probes you knoe the drill. :mrgreen:

Anyway
later

[Wilty]

I'm trying to Max. the space for the refugium and have the min for sump stuff. I'm putting my Protein skimmer before the refugium since I believe it is better there.