Using Red Sea 425xl v3 sump as refugium

[blalaw87]

Good Evening

I have a read sea 425xl v3 sump and it has the section that can be used as a refugium with the baffle. When I got my tank I got the baffle with it but right now I don't have the refugium section set up and it is just all open.

I was thinking bout setting up a refugium using the baffle but I have not found a lot of examples of anyone doing this just yet. All I find for the most part is people using the ATO or an external refugium. I wanted to see if there was a reason for this or if it my search skills are just not up to PAR. If I do go this route is there anything I need to be careful about in particular or just set it up like any other refugium?

Thanks!

 

[PeterC99]

I have the RSR 425 XL V1. Here’s my sump with homemade egg crate refugium with chaeto. Very envious of the V3 version and you should absolutely take advantage of the built in Refugium. Keeps my overstocked 90g aquarium with low PO4 & NO3.

 

[MrMreef]

In my case it was already a bit cramped, so I drilled the ATO and added a small filling pump.

Pros:
- I have complete control over the flow rate through the Fuge
- the exit pipe flows straight into the return pump area so no detritus or critters anywhere else in the sump
- little light spill (2x layers of 90% reflective tint on the sides and bottom)
- More space for other Stuff

Cons:
- maintenance on the Fuge is tough because it’s cramped up top (e.g. scraping)
- lighting options are limited
- you have to measure your equipment carefully