Growing algae and pods in a reactor or scrubber?

[TheKingInYellow]

My tank is still in the build phase and while I have some room in my sump to play with it's going to be limited and the sump does not have a dedicated refugium.

The centre section of the sump is 10" x 14" and will house the skimmer which is a Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite which will chew up about 7.5" by 7.5". The remaining space will need to house a carbon reactor, or at least a pump leading to an external one. I wanted to add an algae grower of some type for additional export, and I'm not sure if I can squeeze it into the sump. Externally I could go with either a reactor or scrubber but I would like it to be a source of pods for the tank for a natural food source for a Dragonet sometime down the road.

I've looked at the reactors and scrubbers from a variety of vendors but none of them address this. Are they a direct replacement for a refugium in this case or should I try to plumb an external refugium to the sump instead?

Thanks!

 

[Josh@ClearWaterScrubbers]

My tank is still in the build phase and while I have some room in my sump to play with it's going to be limited and the sump does not have a dedicated refugium.

The centre section of the sump is 10" x 14" and will house the skimmer which is a Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite which will chew up about 7.5" by 7.5". The remaining space will need to house a carbon reactor, or at least a pump leading to an external one. I wanted to add an algae grower of some type for additional export, and I'm not sure if I can squeeze it into the sump. Externally I could go with either a reactor or scrubber but I would like it to be a source of pods for the tank for a natural food source for a Dragonet sometime down the road.

I've looked at the reactors and scrubbers from a variety of vendors but none of them address this. Are they a direct replacement for a refugium in this case or should I try to plumb an external refugium to the sump instead?

Thanks!

Most algae scrubbers will grow pods. You just need to shake them off before harvesting the algae or they will just go in the trash with the algae. You could also look at doing a Pod Hotel with the scrubber if you want to give them an area for faster reproduction.

 

[Doctorgori]

pods also love to inhabit chaeto and ulva ....

 

[TheKingInYellow]

I've never heard of a pod Hotel, just checked it out and it looks great!

Turns out there is an STL for one on thingiverse too, so my 3D printer will save me some cash!