I'm trying to turn a 300g acrylic into a sump, refugium using zenia, or sump/refugium. Hoping to find a way to make it decorative, as well as, highly beneficial for my setup, since it's so large.

thinking about placing it higher than my tank, in order to use gravity to pull cocoepods downward to avoid pump. anyone have any good ideas or expertise in this area, is it feasible to have a refugium that's pleasant to the eye. what's the most effective way to use this 300g in a system with a 240g SPS tank and a 210g softie tank? can I eliminate algea growth in my tank while also using 300g as another decorative edition to my system? is it better placed above or below my tank? is there any livestock that will contribute to the filtering system, that will also make the 300g appealing to the eye?

u can make it a display refrugium. and if it above water level that would be easier to work with. u can have a dsb with sand sifting creatures. and i dont know if u can elimanate alage growth but u will have alot more stability in the tanks.

You've got some great options--I would have it above your tank's water level if possible, and have several partitions. In the first two chambers you could do a DSB, and macroalgae, then you could do a section as a xenia scrubber, or even a frag grow-out tank, and I like the idea of using the last section as a rendition of a Carlson surge devicewhich would drain the entire section into the main tank quickly to create the effect of a wave surge each time it fills up. There are many ways to do it, and since the sump is acrylic, you have many options. Most I've seen pictures of use something similar to and overflow U tube that goes through the side of the tank and extends into it to the bottom. that way, as the section fills to the top, a syphon is created that drains to the bottom until the syphon breaks. Another way it can be done is with a hole in the bottom of the tank, covered with something like a toilet stopper attached to a float.

Just a thought!

Hi Assault,

I've got a 500+ Gallon sump. If you want to have a look just give me a PM.

You've got some great options--I would have it above your tank's water level if possible, and have several partitions. In the first two chambers you could do a DSB, and macroalgae, then you could do a section as a xenia scrubber, or even a frag grow-out tank, and I like the idea of using the last section as a rendition of a Carlson surge devicewhich would drain the entire section into the main tank quickly to create the effect of a wave surge each time it fills up. There are many ways to do it, and since the sump is acrylic, you have many options. Most I've seen pictures of use something similar to and overflow U tube that goes through the side of the tank and extends into it to the bottom. that way, as the section fills to the top, a syphon is created that drains to the bottom until the syphon breaks. Another way it can be done is with a hole in the bottom of the tank, covered with something like a toilet stopper attached to a float.

Just a thought!


i think the float might fail and be disatours so that probably wont be a long term fix.

You can always add and emergency overflow bulkhead near the top of the sump wall that would drain directly into the surge plumbing in case of failure. I have one on my sump and it was one of the best ideas I had.

Carlson surge devices are more technically difficult to get working properly as compared to the toilet system(Borneman?). An emergency drain is an easly safety device.

gonna go with a closed loop refugium with emergency drain, kept in the dark above water level.

man, I absolutely love the idea of making it look like a wave surge- much like the Tropical diver exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium right? As soon as i upgrade to my 150 I may give something similar to that a shot :) Thanks guys!
Good luck with your ENORMOUS sump! Sounds like it'll be quite an endeavor!

Hey Assault... sounds like youve got a few plumbing/design things going on right now. My offer still stands, if we can arrange a time... I don't mind taking a trip south to help plan out your system. Just let me know...

I gladly except your offer of help, whatever is convenient for you, will probrably work for me.