Display 55g Sump

redsea01 · Dec 22, 2016

hi everyone! Long time no see!
Anyways, I've been thinking, and I would really like to setup a display 55g refugium filled with macroalgae. The main purpose is because I want more natural nutrient control for nitrates and phosphates, but I would rather set it up next to the tank and make it nice looking rather than underneath. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to do this? Someone told me that it should be fairly easy, the 55g's water level just has to be slightly higher than the 125g, and then I need a pump to pump water from the 125g to the 55g. But then how would I get the water from the 55g back to the 125? With another pump?
Oh, and I am right in my thinking that a 55g with lots of macro would help with nutrients in my 125 right?
Thanks so much!

Brew12 · Dec 22, 2016

redsea01 said:
hi everyone! Long time no see!
Anyways, I've been thinking, and I would really like to setup a display 55g refugium filled with macroalgae. The main purpose is because I want more natural nutrient control for nitrates and phosphates, but I would rather set it up next to the tank and make it nice looking rather than underneath. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to do this? Someone told me that it should be fairly easy, the 55g's water level just has to be slightly higher than the 125g, and then I need a pump to pump water from the 125g to the 55g. But then how would I get the water from the 55g back to the 125? With another pump?
Oh, and I am right in my thinking that a 55g with lots of macro would help with nutrients in my 125 right?
Thanks so much!

You can do this any number of ways, but I would recommend only using 1 pump. If you want your 55g to be higher than the 125, pump from the 125 to the 55 and let gravity return the water. If you want the 55 to be lower, set it up like a normal sump.

redsea01 · Dec 22, 2016

Brew12 said:
You can do this any number of ways, but I would recommend only using 1 pump. If you want your 55g to be higher than the 125, pump from the 125 to the 55 and let gravity return the water. If you want the 55 to be lower, set it up like a normal sump.

Thank you very much! :)

redsea01 · Dec 22, 2016

Sorry, I have been thinking and just have a few more questions. So, what kind of pump would you recommend? Like how strong/what size? Also, what kind of plumbing should I have for the water to return to the 125g. Do I literally just need a pipe attached to both tanks, and then gravity will do the trick since the 55g will be higher than the 125g?
Thanks so much!