Every
filtration system uses both a custom designed Tru-Vu sump
and refugium.
The main filter: The surface skimmed water
from the aquarium drains directly into the sump. The majority
of the surface-skimmed water is processed through
high-efficiency "Euro-Style" skimmers.
We always use very high-efficiency ASM, Euro-Reef© or,
occasionally, ETSS protein
skimmers.
The refugium: Our unique refugium design
is a dedicated "mini-aquarium" (see our new "porthole
design" on the Portfolio page).
The refugium is built on a raised stage so that all the water
flowing through the refugium is entirely gravity-fed (no
pumps needed!) The refugium is also illuminated and can be
set for 24-hour illumination or "reverse-daylight" (on when
the display lights are off and vice-versa).
The benefit: The dedicated refugium promotes
the growth of planted Caulerpa algae. The purpose of the
planted algae is that as the algae grows, it extracts the
nutrients from the water that would otherwise be utilized
by nuisance algae in the main display.
In addition, the release
from our own mixture of "reef mud" of
micronutrients
and
microminerals helps the growth of corals and other marine
life. |
