Sand in sump?
- Thread starter parentj3
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RedoubtReef
Valuable Member
If your sump includes a refugium section then yes, you can place it there if you like. Just not in the skimmer or return sections.
parentj3
New Member
In process of making everything pretty, I have a AIO so new to the sump this is my set up at the moment just don't loke the skimmer on the left want to move to middle compartmet but obviously can't do that with the sand, tanks only been running for 3 weeks,
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srobertb
Well-Known Member
This looks fine. I assume you have a light for your little refugium. Just watch flow thru there because it’s easy to become a detritus trap. Especially Chaeto which is excellent at trapping crap in it until it’s disturbed. Recommend a rinse every month or so.
srobertb
Well-Known Member
If you have a Neptune Apex, I recommend their little refugium light. If you don’t, try this one
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Same light. Don’t need an apex. Proven winner for years.
I like the Tunze submersibles but they’re pricey since you’d probably need 2.
srobertb
Well-Known Member
Hard to say without a lot of missing data. Looks like 1/3 of a 10g tank. Could support a 60-80g light-to-medium stocked tank if he got a good amount of well-lit Chaeto going in there.
I’m not sure the sand bed or a few pieces of LR are world-beaters but overall it could be meaningful.
1ocean
2500 Club Member
my opinion , sand in sump not a good idea, lots of extra cleaning time. If you have a refug with sand it works but still extra time to clean. You can have a refug without sand.. if your looking to add more area for bacterial and help keep ph up then use live rock that is not pretty or aragonite (arm). Siporex is another good product for extra area for bacterial colonies. Just my views on this ...
vetteguy53081
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sand offers no benefit and will retain mulm, sediment and detritus. Miracle mud would be a better choice and even that- Not necessary.
parentj3
New Member
There is at least 40 pounds of sand and 30 pounds of rock in the middle compartmet of a 30 gallon sump the dt is a 120 with about 100 pounds of sand and around 150 pounds of lr
parentj3
New Member
Shouldn't hurt to just get rid of it then?
srobertb
Well-Known Member
Sorry. I didn’t mean to demean your Sump size 
I’m seeing the great debate begin. In my unprofessional opinion: The sand and liverock are probably less meaningful from a filtration standpoint since you have a decent amount in your DT but will hurt absolutely nothing. It will not become a toxic pit of gas that will kill your dog nor will it house some deep sea monster that will steal cash from your wallet at night.
Anything with the term “miracle” in it is rarely a miracle and I do recall putting it in a refugium once, seeing the unending silt storm, and removing it (which was a mess). “replenishes vital minerals” sounds like “leaching unmeasurable stuff into my tank.” But there are some older reefers who swear by it.
I think some well-lit macroalgae would be meaningful in there for sure. You already have a lot of sand in your display but if you’re trying to give fauna a place of “refuge” the sand and rock are great.
It looks nice. Maybe you’d prefer a “mini” tank in your sump vs a floating cold ball of algae. That’s cool.
Throw a good 30-45w+ LED light on it (nothing wrong with more), make sure there’s some flow in there, and enjoy. Having a light will create some more upkeep as light-spill will get algae growing elsewhere. I know I suggested some other lights but you could look at the Tunze submersibles. They can be placed low in the water and point away from your skimmer to keep algae off it. They’re $100 a pop and you’ll need a couple.
I’m seeing the great debate begin. In my unprofessional opinion: The sand and liverock are probably less meaningful from a filtration standpoint since you have a decent amount in your DT but will hurt absolutely nothing. It will not become a toxic pit of gas that will kill your dog nor will it house some deep sea monster that will steal cash from your wallet at night.
Anything with the term “miracle” in it is rarely a miracle and I do recall putting it in a refugium once, seeing the unending silt storm, and removing it (which was a mess). “replenishes vital minerals” sounds like “leaching unmeasurable stuff into my tank.” But there are some older reefers who swear by it.
I think some well-lit macroalgae would be meaningful in there for sure. You already have a lot of sand in your display but if you’re trying to give fauna a place of “refuge” the sand and rock are great.
It looks nice. Maybe you’d prefer a “mini” tank in your sump vs a floating cold ball of algae. That’s cool.
Throw a good 30-45w+ LED light on it (nothing wrong with more), make sure there’s some flow in there, and enjoy. Having a light will create some more upkeep as light-spill will get algae growing elsewhere. I know I suggested some other lights but you could look at the Tunze submersibles. They can be placed low in the water and point away from your skimmer to keep algae off it. They’re $100 a pop and you’ll need a couple.
parentj3
New Member
No feelings hurt here I'm new to this and was just trying to give more info about the whole setup and where to go from there would really like the extra space in the middle compartmet of
srobertb
Well-Known Member
No worries. You’ll find in this hobby there are a lot of ways to do things so take everyone’s opinions with a grain of salt. It’s a bummer when people *insist* that something works or doesn’t work. Your plan does work. It’s worked for a lot of people. Are there some unnecessary components? Maybe. But nothing that will be det
Keep in mind that Chaeto or any macro algae is a living thing. It will require food to live. That food can be as simple as excessive fish food and poop missed by the skimmer but if you’re not stocked up yet or your skimmer is super efficient, you may have problems with macro algae living.
If you want it to outcompete algae in the tank or on the glass, You’ll need a light capable of doing so. People are on here with a 1000 watts of light over their tank confused on why a 9w bulb from Amazon isn’t working for them to grow algae in a refugium.
