Anyone try adding a Rock Tub to their system?

[RobertP]

What I envision is a 150 gallon rubbermaid tub plumbed into the sump and full of rock and water and then keep it covered as much as possible. This should eventually grow sponges and other beneficial organisms. I was thinking the refugium tank (80 gal) would drain into this rock tub and then an overflow into the sump. It would not be fast moving water so it should not collect much detritus from the refugium. I purposely built an extra 4'x4' space under my refugium for something like this and giving it serious consideration. Other than space I am not seeing much of a downside.

I have read articles where having the extra rock and water capacity is always a good thing. But was also thinking about all those sponges that seem to grow where there is little to no light. Not sure of the relationship between sponges and corals exactly but it seems that corals do best when there are sponges doing well.

 

[dank reefer]

Cryptic zone.

I recently saw a setup that had one installed and hisntak looked great. Super low flow he had going in the section to allow the sponges to grow.

I've never seen one or heard about it until I saw his, and I thought if I ever set up a new dream tank, it would def have ome installed.

He did mention to me that if I wanted to geek out about it, to read up on Steve Tyree as he is somewhat of a guru on this topic.

 

[Jaebster]

What I envision is a 150 gallon rubbermaid tub plumbed into the sump and full of rock and water and then keep it covered as much as possible. This should eventually grow sponges and other beneficial organisms. I was thinking the refugium tank (80 gal) would drain into this rock tub and then an overflow into the sump. It would not be fast moving water so it should not collect much detritus from the refugium. I purposely built an extra 4'x4' space under my refugium for something like this and giving it serious consideration. Other than space I am not seeing much of a downside.

I have read articles where having the extra rock and water capacity is always a good thing. But was also thinking about all those sponges that seem to grow where there is little to no light. Not sure of the relationship between sponges and corals exactly but it seems that corals do best when there are sponges doing well.

I was thinking the same in the setup. Would love to have this too but no space. However, theres one correction. Because there wont be much flow in it, it will settle out detritus contrary to what you think. Unless of course, if you already have a slow zone in your sump, before it moves on to the tub to settle out the detritus. If I were you, I'd place the rock on raised eggcrate with a drain at the bottom of the tub sump. That way, you can stir the detritus with a pump a little bit and drain the detritus concentrated water out.

 

[RobertP]

After some careful measurements it looks like it will have to be the 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank. It has a built in drain plug but I doubt I will use it. I am definitely going to do this but need to find about 100 lbs of rock first.