Cryptic Fuge in Overflow

[ReefGeezer]

I have an overflow section that holds about 5 gallons of water. It has two Durso overflow tubes and takes in water near the top of the water column. I am considering adding some rock in the bottom of the overflow and covering it to reduce direct light in hopes of creating a cryptic zone. Anybody out there ever do something like this.... How did it work... Pros and Cons... ect.? Thanks.

 

[lapin]

My sump is under my tank. I have a semi cryptic zone. No real light but not pitch black. In the middle section I placed some rocks in a basket and ordered some cryptic sponges and stuff. It now has a bunch of weird stuff and a lot of a green coating on everything which I assume is some sort of bacteria

 

[IOPsurfer]

@ReefGeezer did you end up doing this? I'm curious about the same thing.

 

[ReefGeezer]

@ReefGeezer did you end up doing this? I'm curious about the same thing.

I did. I put in a couple lbs of TBS live sand and 6 lbs of live rubble rock. I then covered the overflow section with a piece of black plastic to block the light. Best I can tell, because it's kind of hard to see into it, it's got mostly sponges, tube works, and some Aiptasia in it now. I did put some Nudi's in it to limit the Aiptasia. I think it is a good use of the space and after all these years, I only have one regret... I can't see into it to see if there might be some issue looming. I drop a small pump in it once a year to stir up detritus and siphon the water/detritus out just to make sure it doesn't build up too much.