Beginner Sump/Refugium Question

[salvatore]

Ok Im only about two months old when it comes to a marine setup and Ive done a helluva lot of reading in those two months.
Id like to implement some sort of refugium in my setup and keep the tank profile to a minimum in the process.
This is a picture of the wet/dry I have under my 110g fowlr. The white box on the right is the source of my question: can I use a tupperware/rubbermaid container in this fashion as a refugium? The white hole below the waterline is to keep it filled with water.
I obviously cant just load some sand in the sump-portion because it'll all go right in the pump opening...and I could clip a lamp either to the container or to the sump itself.

As I said Im terribly new at all of this and want to do thing properly from the beginning. Am I on the right track? Or is there another way to go about this?
Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[david s]

It looks like it might work but how big is that area in pic it doesnt look to big. is there anywere under your tank to fit a 10 gal or a tupper ware ?? then you can drill a hole for a overflow in it and use a powerhead and you got a refuguim

 

[cwfish]

I would also be a bit concerned about the water level. That wet dry filter should not have water that high during normal opperation. The water should be about where the white plates are that hold up the bio-balls, give or take a bit. If you had just a little more space I would do what David is saying and add it separately, if you have the room.

 

[broomer5]

Personally I would consider modifying one chamber of the wet/dry to accomodate a refugium.
It may be possible to convert one side of the wet/dry, by removing the bioballs, and placing a plastic container in that area for a refugium.
You'd have to cut in half and remove the square lid that contains the drain hose from the overflow to allow for lighting, but it could be done.
Depending on your overflow water flowrate draining down to your dual wet/dry right now, you could possibly tee off one of the drainlines, feeding it to another area of the sump portion, and allowing slower flow to the refugium portion. Or adding another hose connection to the one side that still contains the bioballs. Water flow will determine if this is feasible or not.
Bubbles may enter into the equation as well, but could be dealt with too.
Unless you are wanting to have all those bioballs.
What is the rating of the wet/dry ( what size tank is it designed for ) ???
How much live rock do you have ??
Do you have a DSB ???
These answers would affect my choice in doing the above suggestion also.
Question that would need to be addressed is;
Do you feel you need all the bioballs for proper biofiltration OR would you be willing to let some of the live rock and sand bed perform this biofiltration, and convert the wet/dry to either a full refugium/sump or a combo wet/dry/sump/refugium.

 

[salvatore]

Originally posted by broomer5:
<strong>
Unless you are wanting to have all those bioballs.
What is the rating of the wet/dry ( what size tank is it designed for ) ???
How much live rock do you have ??
Do you have a DSB ???
These answers would affect my choice in doing the above suggestion also.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Dont HAVE to have the bio-balls; read in numerous places about their disadvantages and want to look at alternatives.
Wet/dry rated for 300gal
30lbs of live rock
3" sand bed
<strong>
Question that would need to be addressed is;
Do you feel you need all the bioballs for proper biofiltration OR would you be willing to let some of the live rock and sand bed perform this biofiltration, and convert the wet/dry to either a full refugium/sump or a combo wet/dry/sump/refugium.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Very willing to let rock/sand do the filtration; my hesitation comes from lack of saltwater experience. Id have to break down the existing plumbing to the tank to do this. Since it was professionally installed, I want to be *sure* that I know the benefits of a refugium/sump setup before I go re-plumbing everything.
Thanks for your help.