Need Refugium Placement Suggestions

[ReefTron5000]

I've got a 48x30x20 mixed reef that's been up for two years. I'm running an Aquamaxx Cone skimmer as well as carbon and ROWAphos GFO in separate reactors.

I'd like to add a refugium to my setup but I just can't seem to figure out how I can fit it in. I've got an Advanced Acrylics sump that I really don't want to replace and there is not much room in the sump. Also, I'd prefer to not have something hanging off of the main display.

Outside of buying a new sump or hanging something off of the display itself, does anyone have suggestions on how I can add a refugium to my setup?

 

[fishresponse]

I think you already listed your options. Doesn't look like you have any extra room unless you organize more of your current sump with the wires and add there. You might just want to consider doing a "show" refugium next to your tank.

 

[ReefTron5000]

I can clean up the wires a bit with wire ties but I imagine that is not going to get me the space to add any kind of refugium?

The tank is next to the kitchen so there is counter space there but unfortunately its the only spot I have for my small chiller.

If I did hang something off the display itself, what are my options?

 

[garyinco]

IMO, none that would make any difference in a small size. Could you get rid of the particleboard shelving in your sump area to free up some room? My fuge area is about 20 gallons in size (inline in an eshoppes sump) on a 105 gallon tank and I find it difficult to keep macros (red stuff, non-invasive Caulerpa) thriving. Pods and the additional live rock are no problem though. What's your goal for a refugium?

 

[ReefTron5000]

Yeah I can get rid of those shelves but before they were there I couldn't figure out how to fit a refugium on that side in a stable way. With the weight I can't see how to fit it.

Because I started with RealReef rock, while it was very clean and made aquascaping easy, there was no life on there. As a result I have no micro life or cool little creatures like feather dusters or copepods of any kind. I'm hoping a refugium would add to the overall health of the tank.

 

[fishresponse]

I have a smaller refugium on my system packed full of chaeto and it does a great job sucking up nutrients. It also houses a full stock of pods, brittle stars, spaghetti worms, etc. if you're just looking for micro life I wouldn't necessarily add a fuge. You would be better off adding some tiger pods to your tank so it's "seeded" and feeding some phytoplankton so the micro life have a food supply.