Aquarium Refugium/Sump Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Design and size your sump and refugium for optimal reef tank filtration. Calculate section dimensions, baffle placement, flow rates, and return pump requirements based on your display tank volume.
Aquarium Refugium/Sump Calculator
AquariumDesign your sump with optimal section sizing and flow rates
Sump Dimensions
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What is a Refugium/Sump Calculator?
A Refugium/Sump Calculator helps you design and size the ideal filtration system for your marine aquarium. It calculates optimal sump dimensions, refugium section size, flow rates, and baffle placement for effective nutrient export and equipment housing.
A properly sized sump and refugium provides water volume stability, houses equipment out of sight, and grows beneficial macroalgae and copepods. This calculator ensures your system is designed for optimal performance.
Typical Sump Sections
Drain Section: Receives water from display, holds filter socks/roller, first baffle.
Skimmer Section: Houses protein skimmer at stable water level.
Refugium Section: Grows macroalgae, houses deep sand bed, slower flow.
Return Section: Houses return pump, should hold evaporation reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size sump do I need for my aquarium?
A sump should be 20-40% of your display tank volume. Larger is better for water volume stability, equipment space, and evaporation buffering. A 40-gallon sump for a 120-gallon display is ideal. Minimum recommended is 20% of display volume.
What's the difference between a sump and refugium?
A sump is any tank below the display for equipment and water volume. A refugium is a section (often within a sump) for growing macroalgae, pods, and beneficial organisms. Many sumps include a refugium section, but not all sumps are refugiums.
How big should my refugium section be?
10-20% of display tank volume is recommended for effective nutrient export. Larger refugiums grow more macroalgae and support more pods. A 120-gallon display benefits from a 12-24 gallon refugium section. Bigger is always better for refugiums.
What macroalgae should I grow in my refugium?
Chaetomorpha (chaeto) is most popular - easy to grow, doesn't go sexual, excellent nutrient export. Caulerpa is faster growing but can crash. Gracilaria and sea lettuce are alternatives. Avoid invasive species that can spread to display.
How much flow should go through the refugium?
Slow flow - about 3-5x refugium volume per hour. Too fast strips nutrients before algae can absorb them. If refugium is 20 gallons, target 60-100 GPH through that section. This also keeps pods from being swept away.
What lighting do I need for a refugium?
LED grow lights or 6500K daylight bulbs work well. Popular options: Kessil H80/H380, AI Prime Fuge, or basic LED grow lights. Run on reverse schedule (on when display is off) to stabilize pH. 12-16 hours light recommended.
What substrate should I use in a refugium?
Deep sand bed (4-6 inches) or mud provides habitat for pods and denitrification. Miracle Mud is popular. Some run bare bottom with just macroalgae. Live rock rubble also provides pod habitat and biological filtration.
How do I deal with overflow noise and microbubbles?
For noise: Herbie or Bean Animal drain methods are quietest. For microbubbles: use baffles in sump design, bubble traps, filter socks, and ensure adequate settling time before return pump section. Proper sump design eliminates both issues.
Sources and References
- BRS TV, "How to Design the Perfect Sump", Bulk Reef Supply, 2024
- Reef Builders, "Refugium Setup and Macroalgae Guide", 2024
- Reef2Reef, "Sump Design Best Practices", 2024