Overflow as a refugium

Frogmanx82 · 10/04/2017, 08:39 PM

So I'm new to having a sump and overflow. Now I see a hundred fanworms and pods crawling everywhere in the overflow box. I figure its about 5 gallons so its bigger than the refugium in my sump. (90 gallon display, 20 gallon sump) Does anyone manage this area or is it survival of the fit enough? Does anyone put anything in there on purpose?

Michael Hoaster · 10/04/2017, 09:03 PM

I have a coast to coast overflow that I converted to an in tank refugium, when I decided to go without a sump. I put chaeto, ulva, grasilaria and other macros in it for pod habitat as well as nutrient uptake.

You might try adding macro algae as well to yours. Does it get good light? If so, give it a go. If not, you may find sponge in there one day. Either way it benefits your tank.

Frogmanx82 · 10/04/2017, 10:32 PM

No light for me in the overflow box so its chitons and fanworms now and probably sponges and aiptasia taking over soon. I've seen my nerites move in and out of there. I have a side overflow and have a pretty good view into whats in there. Its definitely going to have its own population of critters.

I was curious as to what most people see inhabiting that area.

10/04/2017, 08:39 PM	#1
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	Overflow as a refugium So I'm new to having a sump and overflow. Now I see a hundred fanworms and pods crawling everywhere in the overflow box. I figure its about 5 gallons so its bigger than the refugium in my sump. (90 gallon display, 20 gallon sump) Does anyone manage this area or is it survival of the fit enough? Does anyone put anything in there on purpose? __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

10/04/2017, 09:03 PM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I have a coast to coast overflow that I converted to an in tank refugium, when I decided to go without a sump. I put chaeto, ulva, grasilaria and other macros in it for pod habitat as well as nutrient uptake. You might try adding macro algae as well to yours. Does it get good light? If so, give it a go. If not, you may find sponge in there one day. Either way it benefits your tank. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

10/04/2017, 10:32 PM	#3
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	No light for me in the overflow box so its chitons and fanworms now and probably sponges and aiptasia taking over soon. I've seen my nerites move in and out of there. I have a side overflow and have a pretty good view into whats in there. Its definitely going to have its own population of critters. I was curious as to what most people see inhabiting that area. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star