How to Set Up a Refugium Inside Your Sump

mdshop.us/1WYnFNo Refugiums are great!
Not only do they provide a means to export waste and nutrients, they also create a safe haven for small, beneficial organisms to grow and reproduce.
These small creatures - including copepods, amphipods and other "bugs" - growing in your refugium will help devour leftover food and detritus. Some of these "bugs" inevitably make their way into your display tank, where they will help feed the animals and increase the biodiversity in your reef aquarium.
In this video, we are going to set up a refugium inside a Trigger Systems Emerald sump, provide helpful tips to make setup hassle-free and show you how to get the most out of your refugium!
If you found this video helpful, please like, share and subscribe to show your support and to help out other hobbyists. Until next time, take care and happy reefkeeping!
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[@mrnostalgia76]

One of the best videos I’ve found on setting up a sump/refugium

[@isnersusan2520]

Finally....... a well spoken, and informative video that explains all of the things that a beginner needs to know! Thank you! A video like this is invaluable! I have the Waterbox Platinum Series 135.4, of course it came with it's own sump. So disappointed that it didn't come with an area to house a refugium. I don't care for the filter socks at all. Also, I would love to convert a large area to a refugium somehow. Anyone with ideas of how to modify this particular sump?

[@AMILLER415]

I appreciate the video. I installed a hang on refugium on my tank and am very happy with my resulting water quality. Plus my chaeto is growing very nicely with my LED grow light. I suggest turning flow to med/low (if possible) to allow the water to have decent exposure time with the macro algae so it can process any nitrates or phosphates. I also recommend adding 1-2 snails to keep the area clean (maybe not a great idea in a some sumps due to the nearby pumps and equipment). The only problem I have with this video is the basic suggestion of adding pods...I don't think it's practical to put pods near and possibly through a return pump and filter socks and expect them to reproduce or last long.. I add them to my hang-on, which doesn't have mechanical filtration and I have not seen many signs of reproduction.. They are great for my tank and I feel my hopes were too optimistic when I first introduced them. Currently I have set up a small pod tank in my garage to breed pods for my mandarin. Every sump is different and i love pods, so make your own decisions, but I just thought you might mention that special care and realistic expectations should be considered when adding pods to a sump refugium..

[@AndyMahnFL411]

Nice explanation and demonstration, well-done.

[@alfonzosturner]

a great video for those persons whom are searching for information to start a new tank

[@V1ZFN]

I have a TS Ruby 36 and love it although I'm going to try a custom made sump on next tank. I do like the TS emerald series though, perfect sump right there.

[@gewglesux]

Thanks for the video very informative.

[@BulkReefSupply]

We appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@callahanwelsh]

Awesome well detailed video. Gratitude and aloha from Maui!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Glad it was helpful!

[@braddowns17]

great info as usual . def want to set one up in my filter sysyem

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Brad Downs Thanks for watching! Please let us know if you have any questions. :-)

[@mdellin29]

I bought light you recommend for refugium, my chatto loves it. Thanks again MD !!!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Glad to help and thanks for watching! -Robert @ MD

[@klondikekitty984]

I just installed a Emerald 39 a week ago and ordered the Live Aquaria refugium starter kit. I'm using the Eshopps Curve ligth.

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Klondike Kitty How do you like the build quality of the sump?

[@jarvusff7726]

alright I want to setup a 40gal reef what protein skimmer will do the job.

[@alexroman373]

I have a sumpless 29 gallon saltwater and I plan to upgrade to a 44 gallon and put a sump I left unused since the beginning of time for years and I want to not only have a bigger display, but a better-looking setup.

[@ericpierson100]

Not sure if its overkill, but I like the idea of a planted refugium for my new 55 gallon tank. It's a freshwater aquarium so any thoughts about plants and other media would be appreciated.

[@RMINK.PASTELITO]

Truly wish to own one of these trigger sumps. Currently have a 20 gallon DIY sump. Love marine depot though. Been purchasing most my equipment for a nano tank.

[@BulkReefSupply]

We are doing a giveaway on our homepage right now. Have you entered?

[@RMINK.PASTELITO]

Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies yes I did. Thankyou!

[@YoosufMo]

Is that a internal sump or external sump with pump?

[@mattcotton6512]

Where do you put the heater? With the return pump?

[@melvin3997]

Finally!

[@BulkReefSupply]

Thanks for watching and let us know if you have any questions!

[@johncall293]

Would I be better off with a refugium or just fill that compartment with Seachem Matrix?

[@brittneynottelling1328]

Are you using the day light micro sun or the model with blue lights and day lights?

[@AnasAnsari-lo8tq]

Is refugium better than algae scrubber?

[@Clownfish-pq2do]

This is essential to doing less water changes or none!

[@petarst]

what are those white patches on cheato?

[@beachbum213]

What kind of water flow do you use I have a 100gal tank

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we fix surface skimmer in salt water sump

[@alexeverson2015]

Which mud did you use one this refugium? Also what was that red plant you put in, it looks really cool!

[@BulkReefSupply]

We used the Ecosystem Miracle Mud linked below inside the refugium. The red sort of fire looking algae is a type of gracilaria sp. It is usually referred to as Dragon's Breath Algae. mdshop.us/2r9b3MV

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

When cycling marine water mention the temparature

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we use prawn after finishing cycling in salt water

[@GENISIS1TWENTYONE]

reminds me that I need to do some pruning on my fuge as my caluerpa has become out of hand lol

[@BulkReefSupply]

+GENISIS1TWENTYONE Happy to be of service! ;-) Thanks for watching!!

[@AnasAnsari-lo8tq]

What if the filtersock and protein skimmer put together in one chamber and then refugium and then return pump?

[@BulkReefSupply]

You will be very limited with space in this case and may run into some problems. You want your skimmer in a chamber that retains a constant water level and you want to avoid allowing anything from your refugium to get sucked into your pump and damage/clog it up. This is the reason you have baffles in between the various chambers.

[@craftcolors]

Is there any benefit to setting up the refugium a month or two before setting up the main tank? I thought I would start the refugium about the time I start curing my dry rock to help establish some of the beneficial algae growth and bacteria.

[@BulkReefSupply]

Sure, the refugium does need to go through a cycle period so setting it up prior to stocking the tank will not hurt. You may not get the best growth from macro-algae if the system has minimal nutrients but all of that will catch up with time.

[@chelritchie]

once this is set up, what maintenance is needed beside trimming back and removing excess cheato? Anything need to be done to the refugium mud?

[@BulkReefSupply]

It is a good idea to partially exchange out the refugium mud on a yearly basis if you are using something like Miracle Mud or Fiji Mud. This will help maintain the benefit of releasing trace elements into your aquarium water. If you choose to utilize sand, this is not necessary.

[@edwardwade8101]

can this sump be set up with a non drillable tank. / be hooked up to a HOB over flow box. thanks

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Eric woods Yes, you can connect/plumb an overflow box into the trigger systems sumps, or any sump for that matter!

[@ArticNinjaFox]

what is the name of the red one showing with the cato and the mangrove, I used to have it growing in the main display until my fish destroyed it and I never got the chance to take some to my local fish store for identification, I'm currently setting up a larger tank and would like to get this plant/algae back

[@BulkReefSupply]

Dragon's Breath (Halymenia).

[@ArticNinjaFox]

thank you

[@braddowns17]

@marine depot. will do thank you

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Thank you

[@brianmountain7553]

Does the flow in the refugium section need to be such that the cheato can "roll" gently. I have a ADV300 and doesn't seem to have enough flow. Advice?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Chaetomorpha does a bit better with higher flow from my experience. I have had success without actually "rolling" the Chaetomorpha and you may want to look into an Algae Reactor or Turf Scrubber as a great alternate. Not only do they work great for nutrient reduction but also help keep your sump clean and free of debris.

[@tf201]

What did you guys use for your light rack? Custom aluminum or something pre made?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Which light rack are you referring too?

[@carloamiel]

Hello, i have the lights in the main display for 8 hours. How long should i leave the lights on in the fuge?

[@BulkReefSupply]

The refugium lights are generally best when run opposite of your display light. Anywhere from 8-16 hours is perfectly suitable based on my experience. -Robert @ MD

[@pamkonen8593]

Wht size eshopps sump would I use for a 55 or 75 gallon tank?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Use the largest size sump that will fit under your tank stand for the best results.

[@MrNhassanp]

i would like to ask you about the microalgae, it wont grow in my sump after 3 months, at first it was fine, i have 250 gallon saltwater fish tank only, with sump containing protein skimmer 2500 liter per hour, white led 30w over the Caulerpa, my nitrate 10 . and phosphate 0.0... what should i do and should i put in the water. I have 4 green chromis damsel- one sailfin tang one saddleback butterfly and one dottyback fish and red wrasse. how can i upload pictures of it to you. what should i do to make my plants grow well. thanks

[@BulkReefSupply]

We are happy to help and you can email [e-mail] or call 1-800-566-3474 directly for fast and friendly support. Chaetomorpha and various species of Caulerpa are the most popular choices for refugium macro-algae.

[@russellsmith6966]

I'm looking for a trigger system for a cad 68 verse which one would be compatible

[@BulkReefSupply]

The Trigger Systems 30" Ruby is a great choice. Any of the 26" and 30" Trigger Systems sumps will fit into the tank stand based on the dimensions advertised. mdshop.us/2DK39wJ

[@christiancorals816]

We're can I get this stuff as I live in the uk also can you get this from amazon

[@BulkReefSupply]

We do offer shipments to the UK, check out the international ordering details below. www.marinedepot.com/help_md_ordering_information_order.html

[@rileyford6685]

Do I need and can I have a refiguim in a aio tank like the innovation Marine sr 80?

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Riley Does Things Refugiums are beneficial for any tank size! The SR-80 have filtration compartments in the back that can easily be converted into a refugium, check out the video below for more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaW3pIJ3mc9qhNE

[@alexeverson2015]

Hi so I have the IM Nuvo 30l and can't find a tank to fit inside of the stand for a standalone refugium I figured a sump wouldn't really fit, does anyone have any suggestions

[@BulkReefSupply]

We do have some AquaMaxx aquariums that might work depending on your desires. I linked all of the tanks below for you to browse. mdshop.us/2rcz8Cp If you dont see anything here that would work, we do have the CPR AquaFuge hang-on refugiums that may be a good option for you as well. mdshop.us/2rcWgRD You could consider building a custom sump out of acrylic. Talk with your local fish store about getting in contact with somebody in your area. -Robert @ MD

[@alexeverson2015]

Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies thanks Robert!👍

[@redreadper3809]

I have a 10 gallon reef with a skimmer,filter, and heater I want to put a 10 gallon sump on it would it be OK to put a larger falter on my tank with the sump

[@BulkReefSupply]

If you are adding extra water volume to your system, increasing the filtration is always a good idea. This filtration can definitely be put in the sump as your water will still be circulating through there and it will also help to hide your hardware.

[@jackiekearney]

I have Red Sea reefer 350, how many gallons should I have for a refugium. Or maybe you can make a video of display refugium that connects to the main display tank. Ty

[@BulkReefSupply]

Thanks for commenting! The bigger the better when it comes to refugiums. You can plumb a refugium into your display a number of different ways. If you have some specific questions, please feel free to shoot us an email anytime. [e-mail] 1-800-566-3474 -Robert @ MD

[@jackiekearney]

I will, thank you.

[@marka.3070]

Would this setup be good enough for a 125 gallon?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Yes, a large sump and refugium will work great. I linked the Trigger Systems sumps below for you to check them out on our website. mdshop.us/2msWoq9

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we use surface skimmer in salt water sump

[@BulkReefSupply]

We would recommend using a surface skimmer in your actual display rather than in a sump.

[@jbrown3364]

What goes into the 3rd stage

[@BulkReefSupply]

Typically the middle section would be a refugium. You can check out our video all about refugiums linked below! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZvJaZKep9Sgb9U

[@neilljansenvanvuuren9025]

Will this same concept work for a all in one tank in the back?

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Neill Jansen van Vuuren Yes, you can set up a refugium in the back of an AIO tank. Just be sure it is baffled correctly so the substrate has no chance of getting into your pumps.

[@neilljansenvanvuuren9025]

Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies Oh Ok, will do, thanks for the help

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

How many degree heat we set in the heater when cycling marine water

[@BulkReefSupply]

You will want to have your heater set around 78 degrees Fahrenheit for a saltwater aquarium.

[@carlosreefer7937]

How big of a sump would I need for a 90 gallon

[@BulkReefSupply]

The bigger the better in most cases and we generally suggest something no less than 25% of your display tank volume.

[@dipakruidas9409]

Sir marine aquarium setup in hindi language

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

How many watts light can we put top of cheto

[@BulkReefSupply]

It depends on the amount of chaeto, the strain, as well as the spectrum. We have a selection of lights for growing chaeto and other macroalgaes available here: www.marinedepot.com/aquarium-lights/led/refugium-lighting

[@fredbeer6950]

What macro algae is that

[@BulkReefSupply]

+Fred Beer We show Chaetomorpha, Caulerpa, and the red algae is Halymenia commonly called "Dragons Breath".

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

I got 160 litres capacity of marine tank for that how many watts led light I have to fix

[@BulkReefSupply]

Hello! It would depend on the dimensions of the aquarium.

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we set carbon in refugium sump

[@BulkReefSupply]

You can certainly use carbon in your sump.

[@maxxiang8746]

Not saying that you can't use mangroves, but just saying, a red mangrove can grow up to 24 metres in height.

[@Goldwell.]

Why doesn't anyone explain how to connect all this correctly? There are no instructions and I don’t understand where to connect the pipes, how to connect them correctly, where and which pipe should be placed in which compartment. Where to put the skimmer? where is the media? where is the pump?

[@joelweidenfeld471]

Way too small refugium, people in the thr hobby will say that's useless, expensive and more trouble than its worth, this already is an expensive and time consuming activity for an adult and reducing your scope versus bitting off more than you can chew is the way to go, the refugium should be similar in size or larger than the display tank and just as appealing to view as it will contain different life forms...

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we give Epsom salt treatment for marine fishes for internal parasites

[@BulkReefSupply]

While some hobbyists have had success with Epsom Salt, medications like Seachem Paraguard and MetroPlex have proven far more successful.

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

@@BulkReefSupply thank you

[@PRIMEAquarismo]

Like

[@this_mfr]

4:04, I really don't think Anette would appreciate that...

[@MrAnthism]

The question is, skim/refug/return or skim/return/refug????

[@BulkReefSupply]

The idea here is that a skimmer can remove all of the beneficial organisms that would be suspended in the water as it travels from the refugium into the display tank; things like juvenile pods. Therefore, most systems are set up skim/refuge/return. This also means the skimmer gets "raw water" from your display giving the skimmer a chance to remove the dissolved organics first and perform it's best. -Robert @ MD

[@jubu1851]

ไม่มีแปลภาษาไทยหรอครับ

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

O k

[@tulpakaizen]

You Should not install skimmer before refugium!

[@andibandi1190]

One should keep in mind that red algae do not absorb red light, and that green algae do not absorb green light. A white light lamp will work with most types of algae🤡

[@ariefsesar14]

hey .. looks like a guy in men in black

[@soverjas]

you guys should hire models for these reviews. I cant take that guy serious.

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

Stop being so superficial. This guy is good and he knows what he's talking about. You can always tell when models read something they don't understand.

[@aquarist]

I don't know about that, I've seen some pretty convincing actors.

[@jackiekearney]

Tiberiu Nicolae if you don't like him then don't watch him.

[@BulkReefSupply]

But I am a model, a super model! Thank you all for watching and commenting and I hope the videos are helpful either way. :) -Robert @ MD

[@aquarist]

Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies helpful as hell!

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

Can we use surface skimmer in salt water sump

[@BulkReefSupply]

We do not recommend using a surface skimmer inside of a sump.