Refugium in garage
Hello,
I am thrilled that the So Cal reef community has has a forum like this to gather!
I just want to run it by people who understand this climate here. I want to build a 100gallon refugium/frag tank in my garage that is connected to my 180g SPS reef in the living room. I currently have a 60g sump in the stand, of which 15 is a fuge with 24h lighting. Please tell me the pros and cons in your experience. Im trying to see if its worth the hassel.
Pros:
1. stabilize my pH via reverse daylight cycle (after 3 years it still fluctuates 8.2day-7.9 night)
2. increase the total water volume (more stability)
3. larger area for remote deep sand bed
4. larger area for macro
5. more live food (so I can take longer vacations)
6. partition area for SPS frags (i currently just give my trimmings away or crush them and add them to my ca+ reactor)
Cons:
1. temp problem, need another 1/3hp chiller (garage gets hot)
2. energy cost of chiller, lighting
3. potential gas fumes from cars
4. more maintenance?
5. inc chance of malfunction/flood
My reef is 3 years old and still looks good to me. I have been doing minimal maintenance have less and less time. Am I just giving myself more work?
Hello,
I am thrilled that the So Cal reef community has has a forum like this to gather!
I just want to run it by people who understand this climate here. I want to build a 100gallon refugium/frag tank in my garage that is connected to my 180g SPS reef in the living room. I currently have a 60g sump in the stand, of which 15 is a fuge with 24h lighting. Please tell me the pros and cons in your experience. Im trying to see if its worth the hassel.
Pros:
1. stabilize my pH via reverse daylight cycle (after 3 years it still fluctuates 8.2day-7.9 night)
2. increase the total water volume (more stability)
3. larger area for remote deep sand bed
4. larger area for macro
5. more live food (so I can take longer vacations)
6. partition area for SPS frags (i currently just give my trimmings away or crush them and add them to my ca+ reactor)
Cons:
1. temp problem, need another 1/3hp chiller (garage gets hot)
2. energy cost of chiller, lighting
3. potential gas fumes from cars
4. more maintenance?
5. inc chance of malfunction/flood
My reef is 3 years old and still looks good to me. I have been doing minimal maintenance have less and less time. Am I just giving myself more work?
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