refugium?

I have been seriously thinking about adding a refugium to my 10 gallon nano at work.

I went as for as to buy a 30 gallon ribber maid container (food grade of course) and all the hoses to hook it up.

I alread have the power heads and stuff I need to get the water back to the tank.

Well, now I don't know if I really want to do this or not.  I think the problem stems from not having a clue as to what I am doing.  how am I going to get the water down to the refugium, I thought about making an overflow box, but I don't know how to do that either.  I need some help if this is going to work.

Also once I get the mechanics of the water movement solved, what kind of stuff do I put in the refugium?

What should Iuse as a substrate?  Should I put live rock in it?  Where do I get the Macros?  So many questions.

Reefobsessed:

I'll be over tonight to get the sea horse, I would like to take a look at you setup while I am there, and maybe grab some of that algae from you.

Any thoughts on what type of sub straight to put in this? I have heard a lot of talk aobut using reef mud?  Does a DSB work just as well or would I be better off going with the mud.  I want to get the greatest benifit out of this that I can.

Mark Peterson wrote: LR is okay but not as useful in the refugia as it is in the main tank where it's beauty can be seen.

Of course I just can't say that. LR not as useful in the refugia? What the...? How about all of the surface area, cracks, crevices and such for bugs? What about all of the filter feeders that will proliferate in the LR and lend to removal of excess nutrients and organics? Heck, it's also that much more area for algae to grow upon. I think that LR in a 'fuge is a great addition. But, just IMO.

what kind of sand do you use in a refugium?

i want to stabilize my ph and reduce nitrate----also what kind of plants?

first thing is i have to get up that early and have my  brain working properly to take a test!!!!!!

i just bought a hang on refugium yesterday so i won't get it until next friday.

do you know of anyone who has made rocks usin ooclite sand? i wonder if there would be an advantage to it?

Mark,

Have you heard or seen a pH meter that has a recording function?  That would work great for those of us that are kind of forgetful or do not want to get up early or stay up late to check our tanks pH.  Maybe something for the club to get?

Rodney