Eshopps Sump with Refugium Compartment

[markushio40b]

Hello R2R Peers,

I currently have an older Eshopps Sump with the built in Refugium Compartment. Just wondering if anyone else in the community has the same style sump and if you’re actually using the compartment for a Refugium or for another purpose. Currently I just have some rock rubble that I seed with Copepods for my Mandarins. Was considering using as a Refugium to assist with nutrient control or even a smaller tank for softies and maybe a gobi and pistol shrimp pair, but wanted to see what others might use it for. Just seems like it’s a decent amount of space that really isn’t being used.

Also, I have a Shark Pro running in my Skimmer Compartment that I could put in the Refugium compartment for flow if needed.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't have the same sump but the sump on my new Mariner MP100 has a fuge chamber. I'm going to run it with live rock and rubble without light as cryptic fuge and use a floating ATS. I've ran chaeto in the past but didn't see any extra benefit of just having a bunch of rock. I still get plenty of life growing. I'm already running a similar setup on my 330g

 

[Reef Jedi]

I don’t have this sump but I would say either way works. I like running extra live rock and a small ball of chaeto in mine. I’ve tried the ladder over the last 20 something years and found best results with a mix of both. Also gives a great home for copepods!

 

[mtealeaves]

I don’t have this sump but I would say either way works. I like running extra live rock and a small ball of chaeto in mine. I’ve tried the ladder over the last 20 something years and found best results with a mix of both. Also gives a great home for copepods!

What is the ladder that you speak of ? I'm setting up a sump for a 180g and I want to go as natural / low maintenance as possible. I'm thinking coarse sponge instead of socks, then skimmer, then cryptic zone then refugium in order before a return.