Refugium In Sump?

I currently have a 20G (24x12x12) sump that is divided in the middle. The water flows beneath the divider through a ~1" space at the bottom. On the left side I have my overflow return, skimmer and heater.....and on the right side I have live rock with my return pump.

My question is can I alter this sump in any way to create a refugium? The problem is that I can't just turn one side into the fuge w/ sand due to that space at the bottom of the divider?

(sorry, no pics b/c I'm at work)

Any suggestions?

 

Why not try to get another tank, like a 20 gallon long and start fresh while yours is still running.. If you dont add anything live to it, it will eventually colonise by itself and wont cause any cycle

 

Definetely add on as suggested – heck, use a bucket…doesn’t have to be fancy. By adding on you have the ability to regulate your water flow through the refugium and this is key. A 5 gallon HD bucket would probably suffice. A refugium is just a swamp and doesn’t need to be pretty or expensive, just effective.

 

I like the idea of creating a new sump with everything in its right place...however I don't want to invest the money since I'll eventually upgrade when I move in a few months.


I recently looked at some in-tank fuges which now gives me the idea of making a DIY version that could somehow fit in the sump. Never worked with acrylic though and don't know how easy it would be?

 

Any other suggestions?

 

Working with acrylic is a snap – you would more than likely not have any troubles, certainly not if you are building in an existing sump where a small leak would presumable be a non-issue. However, lets go back to the cost idea and flow control. My suggestion was to use a bucket (like a HomeDepot bucket –what’s that? 3 bucks?). One small pump to push 10% of your DT volume into the bucket per hour and you gravity feed the bucket back to the sump – so 1 bucket, 1 pump and some tubing and probably no more than 10 minutes of your time.
How to work with Acrylic:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/diy/acrylic.shtml

 

How about a small bucket in the 20 with a small pump in the sump pumping water to the bucket which then simply overflows back to the sump in which its sitting.- Paul

 

If your up-grading/moving in a few months why not just wait until then. That way you'll have time to reseach and plan/design a great sump/refug combo set-up. Why tinker with it now?



luna

 

Um…lol – yeah, I overlooked that part myself ! Luna is right (as he generally is)….you do not want to set up a refugium only to move it in a few months. Refugiums do not move well – actually, they don’t respond well to being touched period….much less moving.

Excellent Luna suggestion Luna !

 

Right on, thanks for the comments. That's a really good point about waiting until I move to set up a fuge so as not to have to move it. I guess I'm just a bit restless b/c I want to have my tank running as good as possbile, for the benefit of all my little creatures;D

I like your ideas chrimson and piezopaul....if I decide to go forward with this I'll be using your suggestions. Thanks!