- Hey Thomas here!
Today we're getting familiar with some
pretty slick looking refugium focused sumps from ESHOPPS.
Ah, there we go.
So, if you're looking for said slick looking sumps
and want to harness the power of algae,
for your filtration system,
or maybe just really love that icy blue and white theme,
then stick around because we're jumping into it.
While a sump, in essence,
is just a box of water below the tank
and can be as simple as a cheap glass aquarium
and a sponge divider,
modern reefers are looking to get more utility
and convenience out of their sumps.
Not to mention something that isn't too hard on the eyes
when you open up the stand, and it makes perfect sense.
Having a sump tailored towards your filtration goals
with baffles and features that make using it
for that intended purpose easier and more convenient
is just a no brainer.
ESHOPPS has designed the Aqua Fuge specifically
for those reefers looking to get the majority
of their filtration needs covered
by the all natural nutrient absorbing power
or A.N.N., I guess, as I've now just decided to call it.
Of macro algae like keto Morfa,
the Aqua Fuge lineup has more than just a focus on refugiums
and also gives you a quiet water entry system
with mechanical filtration
in the form of a filter sock and a coarse foam sponge
held in place by a removable guard.
It also provides a skimmer section with an adjustable baffle
to control the water height and two separate flow paths,
which I'll explain in more detail, in just a bit.
First, let's do some magic.
There we go.
We'll also take a look at what else you get in the box
along with the sump.
In the box you'll also find a filter sock,
the removable algae guard, and corse foam sponge,
a corrugated drain hose and an information packet
with the instruction guide.
The Aqua Fuge comes in three models,
the AR 100, the 200 and the 300
rated for heavily stocked reap tanks
up to 75, 125 and 225 gallons respectively.
The 100 I have here has a footprint of 24 by 12 inches,
while the largest model sits at 36 by 16 inches
and all three models share the exact same 16 inch height,
meaning that they should fit easily
into most standard aquarium stands
for the tank sizes that they're rated for.
There are actually two more models in the Aqua Fuge lineup
that share very similar features,
the Aqua Fuge Cube Nano and Cube Medium,
which I actually covered in another video.
So if you're looking for a tiny sum for your nano tank
or a mid-size sump for your cube tank,
ESHOPPS has you covered there as well.
But for this video,
I'm going to be focusing on the standard rectangular models.
When it comes to drains,
the 100 has a single drain bulkhead,
which is perfect for compact overflow systems
like X-Aqua UNOUT that only requires
a single drain line while the 200 and 300
come with a pair of drain bulkheads,
making them a great fit for Herbie style overflow systems
that utilize an emergency or backup train.
with that said, it is pretty easy to add an extra drain
by having a PVC pipe suspended
over top of one of the other chambers,
so you can accommodate Herbie or Bean Animal Style
over full of boxes that require
that extra emergency drain line.
Now, before we dive into the
separate individual sections and their features,
let's take a look at that dual channel flow path
that ESHOPPS uses with these sumps.
Unlike most sums that flow left to right
from one chamber into the next, in order,
the Aqua Fuge sumps separate into two separate flow paths.
First water enters the sump
and then splits into two separate directions.
The first path provides a small portion of the water
to the refugium section,
right around two and three quarters of an inch
off the bottom, which means you still have plenty
of room for substrate.
And then it travels upwards to a weer
in the top of the rear baffle,
that then lets out into the return section
at the rear of the sump,
the second flow path, like the first,
starts just after the filter socks section
and sends the majority of the water
underneath the refugium section,
across the front of the sump into the skimmer section,
then towards the back of the sump
and then through an adjustable baffle
into the return section.
The benefit here is the flow through the refugium section
is naturally slower,
which can create a less turbulent environment
with greater contact time.
So that the algae, as well as the microbiome,
and the substrate or any bio media
that you use is able to effectively do its job
while also giving the microfauna
like Copepods and amphipods
a Placid environment to reproduce and flourish.
All the while your protein skimmer heater
or any other filtration elements
are still getting plenty of flows,
so they can effectively perform their respective jobs
regardless of the flow that is optimal for the refugium.
So while it's not a design that we typically see,
it sure does make a lot of sense
when you're focusing on running a refugium.
Speaking of refugium,
the refugiums sections in these supms are decently sized
and they're well thought out. The 100 model I have here has
a 10 inch by seven inch footprint and
sits right up front and center
where it's easy to see and access.
The water entering the refugium section
starts near the bottom. But like I mentioned earlier,
still gives you nearly three inches of clearance
for substrate and where it exits near the top.
There is a removable guard that has a coarse foam pad
to catch any unwanted bits of algae and debris
so that it doesn't make it into your return pump.
The vertical height is enough to accommodate popular
submersible lights,
but you can also easily use a clip on style light,
like this one placed on either of the sidewalls
or even at the top of the baffles
since ESHOPPS avoids using Euro braces or trams,
by having that tall DAPL
that reaches all the way to the top of the sump
to support those side panels,
the skimmer sections have a respectable footprint
and should accommodate a wide variety of skimmers,
but compact models will definitely be a comfy fit
with ample room and may even provide enough extra space
to allow for a small reactor as well.
ESHOPPS included an adjustable baffle in these sumps,
so you can adjust the water height from as low as six inches
up to just over an eight inch depth to best suit
your particular model of protein skimmer.
Now the return sections on these sumps are fairly tight
compared to some other models,
but still more than enough room
for many popular return pumps,
and the water level indicator is clearly marked,
albeit on the opposite side of the sump,
which might not be visible unless you have
a peninsula style stand with doors that open on both sides.
With that said, the fact that the rear panel is clear
means you do have a number of options
for auto top off systems,
including ones that magnetically attach
and breathe water level through the panel of the sump.
And I definitely would recommend using an ATO
since keeping an eye on that water level
might be tricky when the return pump area
is tucked at the back,
but I would much rather have a good view and clear access
to my refugium and skimmer sections,
if it's going to be one or the other.
When it comes to maintenance,
this sump is going to be easy to work with.
And like I was just mentioning all of your
important filtration elements are right up front
and easy to see and access
plus that removable guard and foam block
make cleaning up any wayward algae,
something that you can do at the sink instead
of over top of the sump.
You probably will want to grab a foxtail brush
to clean out the weirs on the baffles
since it makes that job a lot easier.
And a small pump with a vacuum attachment
will be a fantastic tool in cleaning up
mum and debris from any sump.
The only really tricky area is that spot just below
the refugium that attaches the water entry way
to the skimmer section. But like I was saying,
a small pump and a foxtail brush will make it
very quick work of any debris
that might be hiding in that area.
So if you're after a refugium oriented sump,
and the Aqua Fuge matches your evening mantra,
you can go ahead and pick one up for yourself
by clicking right here.