Can a refugium be this simple?

[lagnew904]

Can it really be this simple and work effectively? Could I just drop an acclimation box in my main sump compartment with cheato in it and active flow and lighting? Or would the lighting spill cause nuisance algae in the sump?

 

[mdb_talon]

Yes it can be that simple. If the goal is cheato then all you really need is something to contain it and it must have flow going into/through it. At one time i just use a large tupperware bowl(had part of my return manifold going into the top from a hole i cut)

Yes the light spill is likely to cause some nuisance algae. This can be largely eliminated with using dark materials for your "box"(ie black acrylic) and proper light placement.

 

[lagnew904]

Yes it can be that simple. If the goal is cheato then all you really need is something to contain it and it must have flow going into/through it. At one time i just use a large tupperware bowl(had part of my return manifold going into the top from a hole i cut)

Yes the light spill is likely to cause some nuisance algae. This can be largely eliminated with using dark materials for your "box"(ie black acrylic) and proper light placement.

As of now cheato is my starting point. I have been contemplating making a dedicated fuge next to the sump and just run lines in and out. My issue is space, to put a dedicated fuge I would need to get a smaller ATO reservoir.

 

[afrokobe]

As of now cheato is my starting point. I have been contemplating making a dedicated fuge next to the sump and just run lines in and out. My issue is space, to put a dedicated fuge I would need to get a smaller ATO reservoir.

if you are concerned with space, you could look into running an algae reactor instead of a fuge