Little sump, what would you do?

[Uroplatus]

I have this little sump under a 45 cube, I think it’s too small for a skimmer so I was going to turn it into a refugium. What do you thin?

 

[Spare time]

I prefer refugiums with proper strong lighting over skimmers if you have to pick over the other.

 

[laverda]

I would try to incorporate an ATS. They are more effective then a refugium in small spaces. Check out my thread Under $30 ATS for some ideas. A little creativity goes a long way.
I notice you have a lot of salt creap. I would try to reduce the splashing causing it. You don’t want that getting on you refugium or ATS light. Also it makes it harder to see in your sump and affects salinity.

 

[Uroplatus]

Thanks a lot I have had tanks for a long time but never any with sumps. My tank before this one was an oceanic 29 gallon biocube I would still have that tank up but you can't find bulbs anymore. I bought this cube used with stand sump and plumbing for $160

 

[Dkmoo]

Second the fuge.

Size matters to a degree, but a mature fuge offer a LOT more benefits than just no3/po4 export.

Once filter feeders and pods take hold and a microbiome is established, it offers a lot of stability and the handfulnof chaeto you pull out everyweek almost becomes secondary.

 

[Uroplatus]

Second the fuge.

Size matters to a degree, but a mature fuge offer a LOT more benefits than just no3/po4 export.

Once filter feeders and pods take hold and a microbiome is established, it offers a lot of stability and the handfulnof chaeto you pull out everyweek almost becomes secondary.

How do you get filter feeders?

 

[Dkmoo]

They ususually hitchhike from frags and live rock. Critters like feathers, sponges, and vermetids usually just show up as my tank ages and they start take hold in the backside of rocks. Their eggs and spores are pretty much common so just takes time.

If you have a piece of rock from DT that already has them, you can move them to the fuge to seed it.

LfS also sell some. Mostly featherdusters. You can always buy that. Or ask if you can just scope some from their fuge. Id have to imagine these things are all already in the store's own fuge.

 

[Uroplatus]

Also there’s a black sponge in the last baffle should I remove it?

 

[Dkmoo]

Also there’s a black sponge in the last baffle should I remove it?

Never seen a black sponge before. Need pic to properly ID and determine safety.

 

[Uroplatus]

No I’m sorry it’s synthetic not a live one

 

[laverda]

Also there’s a black sponge in the last baffle should I remove it?

No real reason to remove it. I would clean it in old tank water when doing water changes as the can build up waste.

 

[Dkmoo]

No I’m sorry it’s synthetic not a live one

O lol yeah can keep it, just rinse with tank water when doing wc

Can even dump one directly in fuge away from main flow so doesn't clog with detritus too much. Used for Pod housing.

 

[Uroplatus]

I have another ? what would you use as a larger sump? Last night I learned that my current sump isn't big enough to handle the extra water from the tank when the power goes out... AKA it flooded