[optical]

is it possible to add a fuge in an already running sump?
i thought about cutting sheets of acrylic to divide the sump in sections but would i have to drain it first before i caulk the dividers? or can i do it with the water still in it. what kind of lights would be best? just a simple plant light? is a refugeum really worth the trouble?

[prow]

ok lets start with yes it is so worth the trouble. lighting, well, that depends on what you are going to keep in there. i like the idea of have more watts per gallon than what you have on the main display tank.JMO here. if you want to grow macros some need more light than other just have to pick one, but usually whatever you go with you dont need a high price light. you will get a lot more info/feedback on this once you have a idea on what you are going to put in it. another words do you want to grow frags, macros for exporting nutrients or photoplankton production or culture pods for zooplankton. which is best, well that depends on what you are doing with the display tank(type corals, fish ect...). you will need to drain it to do it right, and dont use caulk or any kind of silicone with bacterial static/mildew resistant stuff. use only 100% pure silicon, should say aquaium safe on the package or bottle it comes in. it is possible to just get cut peices of acrylic a hair to big and use a knife to scrap the side down so it wedges in nice and tight, but i would just drain it and do it right. hope this helps or at least points you in the right direction.

[optical]

i would not be using it for coral frags.
i just want to throw some rock in there and grow some algae and build up copepods for the fish. i was thinking about building a seperate plexiglass tank, with vents, to drop in the glass sump. seems like a little more work but then i can just pull it out to do whatever i need to do with it. like scoop out pods and put them in the main tank.
what do you think?
i dont need MH or anything for the sump do i?
should i block off the section of the sump where the fuge is from light getting to the return pump? so i dont grow algae on the other side-

[BubbaWPB]

I added a refugium to an existing tank. Just be careful - if you're adding live rock, be sure it is cured so you don't get a big nitrogen spike in your tank.

[prow]

Originally Posted by optical

i would not be using it for coral frags.
i just want to throw some rock in there and grow some algae and build up copepods for the fish. i was thinking about building a seperate plexiglass tank, with vents, to drop in the glass sump. seems like a little more work but then i can just pull it out to do whatever i need to do with it. like scoop out pods and put them in the main tank.
what do you think?
i dont need MH or anything for the sump do i?
should i block off the section of the sump where the fuge is from light getting to the return pump? so i dont grow algae on the other side-

you dont need MH. a lot peole use something like halogen lights you can get at home depot for about $10-$15, i think there 6500k 110watts. i am using pc's on my tank now. something like Gracilaria you might need more lighting but for caulerpa or cheato most any lighting will do. for growing macros the more light the more growth you will get, too a point of course. a seperate tank could work out. might end up beining a lot more work than you think. not building it but maintaining it. getting the right flow and stuff. can you just throw in a couple power heads to the main tank and disconnect the sump so you can add baffels to it? no worries about the pods, mine get into the main tank by themselves. i dont scoop them out they just go for a ride through my return pump. main tank stays very populated with them.

[optical]

thats what i figured but i didnt know if those little critters would survive the ride back to main tank through the pump.

[prow]

they will. my friend even has a mandrine and his pod population is still more than enough. no worries on that.