i'm hoping this is a reasonable refugium alternative

[livinlifeinBKK]

Not sure if you have access to the back of the tank or how much room you have. But I've ran a fiji cube hang on the back refugium and it worked like a charm. Still have it just in case I do another small tank.

This sounds much more effective and aesthetically attractive.
To OP, the member who left the comment might do it differently, but if its the nutrient export you're aimjng for, one way is to just connect the two the same way you would a chiller. Connect a silicon hose to a pump in each tank and the water will flow between each. That's the absolute simplest way I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[Ballyhoo]

This sounds much more effective and aesthetically attractive.
To OP, the member who left the comment might do it differently, but if its the nutrient export you're aimjng for, one way is to just connect the two the same way you would a chiller. Connect a silicon hose to a pump in each tank and the water will flow between each. That's the absolute simplest way I can think of off the top of my head.

I just don't have a lot of room in the back. I'm mean the tanks are a few inches from the wall. some of the Fiji cubes and similar products used for that purpose seem to hav received for reviews. of course came across the product called a refugee reactor at $500. And even then it didn't get a great review. Very large item needs frequent and cleaning. But the largeness of it kind of makes it difficult to figure out where it would go.

 

[mch1984]

I just don't have a lot of room in the back. I'm mean the tanks are a few inches from the wall. some of the Fiji cubes and similar products used for that purpose seem to hav received for reviews. of course came across the product called a refugee reactor at $500. And even then it didn't get a great review. Very large item needs frequent and cleaning. But the largeness of it kind of makes it difficult to figure out where it would go.

Yeah, that’s why I was asking how much room you had. It was just a thought. I’ve used the Fijicube one and it was great. But I guess they have changed ownership since then so I don’t know.

 

[Solo McReefer]

the whole concept a refugium, that macroalgae can outcompete nuisance algae and growth is a myth?

No

 

[Solo McReefer]

The net idea could work, if you don't care what your tank looks like

You don't even need a sump for that matter, you can put everything in the display. And it will work

Nothing magical happens by water going from one tank to another than back

I run a Tunze reactor. Caulerpa has outcompeted the chaetomorpha. And it became the substrate for huge bunches of hair algae to grow. Which has outcompeted the ulva that was growing in it

Old timers used to grow Caulerpa in the tank on the rocks, and harvest it out occasionally. Which gives a natural kelpy feel to the tank

One doesn't need a refugium, of course. Does not mean they are not an added benefit, which they definitely are

 

[Ballyhoo]

well, I rearranged things in my sump and there is room, but at the back part where the ATO reservoir is, I only have 4 1/2 inches wide if I can create a refugee with a space I have in my sump

 

[FUNGI]

would like to get some feedback. I just don't have a way of creating a Refugium that makes sense to me in this particular aquarium. There's no way to put lights inside of the back sump. I just got this idea throw a bunch of microalgae in a fishnet and lay it on the surface of the aquarium compacted tight w devil tongue and chaeto. pretty ridiculous set up, but I mean if it works I need a refugium. why not.? downside is it's taking up some aquarium real estate. Are there any other downsides to this something I'm not thinking about? It seems too simple of a refugium to work. I can even put my krakken and lid over it pretty decently.
thanks!

Try these instead of the net:

https://www.dollartree.com/large-rectangular-slotted-plastic-storage-baskets/987226

 

[BriDroid]

Another option that I have thrown around but never did, was to get a small freshwater submersible LED light. You could just drop it down in the AIO chamber? Not sure that is what you are looking to do or not? They are cheap on amazon, and pretty small.

 

[Ballyhoo]

well, after some rearranging of the sump, and purchasing a cheap nano light, I think I've designated a pretty good area for a refugee. I've got a couple of good solid handfuls of cheato and some devil tongue but hoping to get enough macroalgae to fill up the entire sump section. I definitely need flow. I drilled lots of tiny little holes in the cheap plexiglass I happened to have ok hand which were cheap picture covers. I