It is incredibly easy to incorporate a refugium into a sump; just add two sets of baffles and you will have created three sections. The two ends are used as inlet and outlet (it doesn't matter which is which) and the middle is the refugium where a whole load of stuff can be placed. You can go down the simple route and add chaetomorpha or caulerpa a simple light source and be done with that. Alternately you could go down the route of a 'designer' refugium which a mangrove section. You will need for this to fill the middle section with a good few inches of miracle mud (or like substrate) and some mangrove trees. The leaves MUST remain out of the water or apparently it is bad news for the plants (DEATH resulting). As they protrude from the water you may need to have a little more clearance above the sump/refugium to allow for growth. Also remember mangrove trees require a lot more light than simple chaetomorpha or caulerpa. A power compact lighting system is usually required, the power of which is dictated by the size of the refugium/ mangrove section. You may also wish to add some live rubble to the inlet for a little additional capacity.
Hope this helps
Regards
any one know of any good sites for info on refugiums. im thinking of incorporating one into my sump set up but need advice on what to place in it.
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