Refugium Placement in Sump

Utkarsh · Apr 12, 2018

The sump that i am having is having filter pads in first section, seachem matrix bio in second, carbon in third, skimmer in fourth. The return section is quite big can i place my refugium in with the return pump?
New to hobby and i really want to have a refugium as i plan to keep a mandarin over the course of time.
Can refugium be placed in the return section?

landlubber · Apr 12, 2018

the main problem with a refugium in the return is keeping the macro algae out of the pump. I imagine if you had enough space you could create a divider with egg-crate.

Utkarsh · Apr 13, 2018

landlubber said:
the main problem with a refugium in the return is keeping the macro algae out of the pump. I imagine if you had enough space you could create a divider with egg-crate.

If i cover the return pump with fine netted pouch would this work?

landlubber · Apr 13, 2018

Utkarsh said:
If i cover the return pump with fine netted pouch would this work?

I suspect not but only because the mesh is going to accumulate debris and the bag will vacuum itself to the return pump intake.
aside from that, if your goal is to sustain a mandarine the size of your refugium is going to matter as the majority of them feed solely on pods continuously. imo a refugium should be purpose built and trying to culture a healthy pod population in a space where there is the ever present threat of a return pump is going to hurt your chances.