diy sumpless refugium advice

[KingNebTheGreat]

I have a modified redsea 250 with no sump. Entire filtration system is in the back overflow. I have phosphate of about 0.4 so I would like to build a refugium but I don't have a sump. I have an external uv sterilizer running for dinoflagellate ostreopsis and the filter return as my pumps currently in the tank I could tie into. The uv sterilizer is around 80gph which I think may be too slow for a chaeto reactor and the return is limited to only the space in the back but it is 800gph. What should I tie into for a refugium? Another option is to get another pump in the back that runs out of the tank and to a reactor. But I thought I should get advice from better diy enthusiasts.
Thank you!

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe run a little GFO to slowly bring PO4 down? IME I've not found refugiums to do much at all to reduce nutrients tho some folks say it works for them. I used to have a ball of chaeto as big as a basket ball and even with regular harvesting I still had high N and P. I run fuges solely to provide a habbit for pods, worms and other tiny life forms.

 

[KingNebTheGreat]

Maybe run a little GFO to slowly bring PO4 down? IME I've not found refugiums to do much at all to reduce nutrients tho some folks say it works for them. I used to have a ball of chaeto as big as a basket ball and even with regular harvesting I still had high N and P. I run fuges solely to provide a habbit for pods, worms and other tiny life forms.

Alright yeah that does make sense. I would like to be able to sell it when it is big enough aswell. The only thing I can get here for a non-exorbitant price is phosguard from seachem which I have been thinking about getting to take down the po4

 

[MoshJosh]

Hang on refugium an option? There are plenty of pre-made options for this, but you can also use an aqua clear filter with some mods. If you have enough room to hang it behind the tank usually you can hide any components in the AIO section.

https://www.chewy.com/aquaready-refugium-filter-20-gal/dp/1385382?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22429707836&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22433242975&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V3-WMYYcJavu6mX2QXPTQa3n&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkMjOBhC5ARIsADIdb3dzbxv_B2NfcZz6b8irbEBkSci5spqAGWfRpLkmZfaqMXVHlKQ64F8aAqtIEALw_wcB

Refugium Chaeto Tumbler WSR-C-Spin-8-G6 Hang on Back (HOB) Chaeto Tumbler | eBay

WATER STREAM REFUGIUM Chaeto Tumbler WSR-C-Spin-8-G6 Hang on Back. All you need is a cup of Chaeto with the chaeto net. The constant water flow by the Chaeto will increase the consumption of excess nutrients.

www.ebay.com

My local fish store makes these and they are cool! Check out their other listings for more traditional hang on refugiums

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fluval-ac110-power-filter-3978864?cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|OMNI|CC|NA|NA|2jqyLsB9aZSXERgBnMUyri|ENT_PSH_GGL_OMNI_CC_NA_PETCO_NA_NA_09032025_COV_PUR-OMNI_PMAX-PLA-LIA_NA_FISH|0|0|0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F14mrVlgMDsZlMPLOw6PpKVhf&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkMjOBhC5ARIsADIdb3dreVHsW7Lqqzf5ierHHVaN9ol-FRxPGELIohxOhY5aWm-2nMovvd8aApCoEALw_wcB

Clean & Effective Aquaclear Refugium Mod

How to Easily turn an Aquaclear/Fluval Hang-on-back filter into a clean, lightproof LED Refugium: Here are some photos of what it looks like when completed Lighting My take on this common design is based on utilizing the Aquaclear/FLuval hang-on-back filter to create a clean...

www.reef2reef.com

I believe the older more boxy model of aquaclear is preferable but the new more shapely one should also work

 

[KingNebTheGreat]

Hang on refugium an option? There are plenty of pre-made options for this, but you can also use an aqua clear filter with some mods. If you have enough room to hang it behind the tank usually you can hide any components in the AIO section.

https://www.chewy.com/aquaready-refugium-filter-20-gal/dp/1385382?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22429707836&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22433242975&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V3-WMYYcJavu6mX2QXPTQa3n&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkMjOBhC5ARIsADIdb3dzbxv_B2NfcZz6b8irbEBkSci5spqAGWfRpLkmZfaqMXVHlKQ64F8aAqtIEALw_wcB

Refugium Chaeto Tumbler WSR-C-Spin-8-G6 Hang on Back (HOB) Chaeto Tumbler | eBay

WATER STREAM REFUGIUM Chaeto Tumbler WSR-C-Spin-8-G6 Hang on Back. All you need is a cup of Chaeto with the chaeto net. The constant water flow by the Chaeto will increase the consumption of excess nutrients.

www.ebay.com

My local fish store makes these and they are cool! Check out their other listings for more traditional hang on refugiums

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/fluval-ac110-power-filter-3978864?cm_mmc=PSH|GGL|OMNI|CC|NA|NA|2jqyLsB9aZSXERgBnMUyri|ENT_PSH_GGL_OMNI_CC_NA_PETCO_NA_NA_09032025_COV_PUR-OMNI_PMAX-PLA-LIA_NA_FISH|0|0|0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22487748708&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F14mrVlgMDsZlMPLOw6PpKVhf&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkMjOBhC5ARIsADIdb3dreVHsW7Lqqzf5ierHHVaN9ol-FRxPGELIohxOhY5aWm-2nMovvd8aApCoEALw_wcB

Clean & Effective Aquaclear Refugium Mod

How to Easily turn an Aquaclear/Fluval Hang-on-back filter into a clean, lightproof LED Refugium: Here are some photos of what it looks like when completed Lighting My take on this common design is based on utilizing the Aquaclear/FLuval hang-on-back filter to create a clean...

www.reef2reef.com

I believe the older more boxy model of aquaclear is preferable but the new more shapely one should also work

Thank you but im hoping to spend as little as is possible and use materials I already have on hand. I am quite crafty so I have a LOT of materials already. I'm just trying to work out a design really