Refugium without sump

[nick76lebanon]

I was wondering if there was any way to add a refugium to my tank without a sump. I currently have a canister filter and i plan on eventually upgrading to a sump i just dont have that kind of money right now. Is there any way to add a refugium still?

 

[BrandonS]

They make hang on back refugiums and you can use some breeder boxes that hang on the back. Problem would be the larger ones get expensive. Bulk reef supply used one in the chaeto video a year or two back.

 

[alex7miles]

BRS videos are always really helpful!! What is it you are having a problem with? Could always add some GFO into the canister or increase water changes to help with excess nutrients.

 

[LC8Sumi]

Tunze algae reactor seems like a good option

 

[nick76lebanon]

BRS videos are always really helpful!! What is it you are having a problem with? Could always add some GFO into the canister or increase water changes to help with excess nutrients.

If i put GFO into my filter does it need to be put into porous baggies or just put the stuff straight in?

 

[alex7miles]

If i put GFO into my filter does it need to be put into porous baggies or just put the stuff straight in?

Put it in a media bag. Can get online or at your LFS. Ive got some with little zips makes life very easy.

 

[nick76lebanon]

Put it in a media bag. Can get online or at your LFS. Ive got some with little zips makes life very easy.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ThePurple12]

In theory you could sell your canister filter and use the money to get a refugium.

-Find a cheap return pump on Amazon, around $20
-a 10g Petco dollar per gallon tank or find one on Craigslist/FB
-a desk lamp with a decent bulb (you probably have a lamp already, and you can get bulbs for $10 or less
-a DIY PVC overflow from Youtube

 

[LegendaryCG]

Tunze algae reactor seems like a good option

Those dont work well without a sump because the pump can't lift water very high.

 

[nick76lebanon]

In theory you could sell your canister filter and use the money to get a refugium.

-Find a cheap return pump on Amazon, around $20
-a 10g Petco dollar per gallon tank or find one on Craigslist/FB
-a desk lamp with a decent bulb (you probably have a lamp already, and you can get bulbs for $10 or less
-a DIY PVC overflow from Youtube

I actually kind of like this idea. What all filtration media would i need? (Filter socks, carbon, stuff like that?)

 

[LC8Sumi]

Those dont work well without a sump because the pump can't lift water very high.

Fair enough. Although this could be "hacked" by either using a larger pump or putting the reactor higher.

 

[LegendaryCG]

Fair enough. Although this could be "hacked" by either using a larger pump or putting the reactor higher.

Yes but I think anyone expecting to have it in a stand is going to be unhappy.

 

[ThePurple12]

I actually kind of like this idea. What all filtration media would i need? (Filter socks, carbon, stuff like that?)

Whatever you want! I personally don't use any media.

 

[mann1139]

I actually kind of like this idea. What all filtration media would i need? (Filter socks, carbon, stuff like that?)

You can get a filter sock attachment that hangs on the side of your tank. Can't remember the exact name.

 

[alliw]

This is an old post, but I came looking for the same (kind of) answer- OP, have you rigged something? Did it work? I’m wondering if I could do ATO instead of just the deionized water but instead a small tank with some freshwater plants. I feel my PH level is on the lower side in my DT and perhaps growing some cheato or macro of sorts could help stabilize the PH while adding some extras, naturally. I do love seeing the balls of cheato twirl around with some pumps, what would an ATO with that and a bit of kalkwasser do for a 20g with a bunch of frags and a couple fish?