• Home
  • Eshopps Aqua-Fuge Refugium Sump
  • Eshopps Aqua-Fuge AR-100 refugium sump for 75 to 125 gallon aquariums
  • Eshopps Aqua-Fuge AR-200 refugium sump for 125 to 225 gallon aquariums
  • Eshopps Aqua-Fuge AR-300 refugium sump for 225 to 300 gallon aquariums
Sold out
  • Sku: 12855

Eshopps Aqua-Fuge Refugium Sump

$399.98 USD
Model: AR-100 (75 to 125 gal)

Product description

In-store pickup only.

The Eshopps Aqua-Fuge is a refugium sump for reef systems from 75 to 300 gallons, built around Eshopps' Dual Water Channel design. Water from your overflow splits into two paths: one feeds the protein skimmer chamber, the other feeds a dedicated refugium where macroalgae and copepods strip nitrate and phosphate, and both rejoin in the return section. Three sizes, each with drain bulkheads, flexible drain hose and a filter sock in the box. Browse the rest of our sumps, skimmers and filtration and the return pumps and plumbing that finish the build.

Two jobs, one sump. The skimmer chamber pulls dissolved organics out before they break down, while the separate refugium grows chaeto and pods on its own flow path. Add an in-sump skimmer, a refugium light and a return pump, and the Aqua-Fuge handles the plumbing logic.

How It Works

Drain water enters through the 1 in bulkhead intake and the filter sock, then the flow divides. One channel carries water through the skimmer chamber, where a protein skimmer removes organics. The other channel feeds the refugium chamber on its own path, so macroalgae get time to absorb nutrients and copepods can breed without sitting in the skimmer's blast. Both channels meet in the return chamber, where your return pump sends water back up to the display. A removable drain and return lid keeps salt spray and noise down.

Features on Every Model

Dual Water Channel designTwo separate flow paths through the sump, one for skimming and one for the refugium, instead of one straight run of baffles.
Dedicated refugium chamberRoom for a chaeto ball, live rock rubble or media, with pods free to multiply and seed the display.
Skimmer chamberA fixed-height chamber sized for in-sump skimmers, 8 to 14 in long depending on the model.
Filter sock includedA 4 in sock on the AR-100 and a 7 in sock on the AR-200 and AR-300 catch detritus before it reaches the chambers.
Bulkheads and drain hose included1 in drain bulkheads and flexible drain hose connect straight to your overflow.
Removable drain and return lidCovers the noisiest sections and cuts evaporation and salt creep.
Quiet operationSock intake and covered chambers keep the cabinet quiet.
Fits standard cabinetsAll three models are 16 in tall, so they slide under most stands with room for a lid and a skimmer collection cup.

Choose Your Model

Select a model in the tab section below for its full spec sheet.

Spec AR-100 AR-200 AR-300
Tank size 75 to 125 gal 125 to 225 gal 225 to 300 gal
Total volume 18 gal 28 gal 38 gal
Max flow 750 GPH 1,250 GPH 2,000 GPH
Footprint (L x W x H) 24 x 12 x 16 in 30 x 14 x 16 in 36 x 16 x 16 in
Skimmer chamber 8 x 11.5 in 11 x 13.5 in 14 x 15.5 in
Refugium chamber 10 x 7 in 11 x 8 in 14 x 9.5 in
Return chamber 10 x 4.5 in 11 x 5.5 in 14 x 4 in
Drain intake Single, 1 x 1 in Dual, 2 x 1 in Dual, 2 x 1 in
Filter sock 1 x 4 in 1 x 7 in 1 x 7 in
Item number 12855 12865 12875

Detailed Model Specifications

Click a model below to view its full specification sheet.

AR-100 · 75 to 125 gal · 750 GPH

The starter Aqua-Fuge for 75 to 125 gallon tanks. At 24 in long it fits most 4 foot stands, holds 18 gallons and takes a single 1 in drain. Check that your skimmer fits the 8 x 11.5 in chamber and your return pump the 10 x 4.5 in return section.

Specification Value
Item number 12855
Tank size 75 to 125 gal
Total water volume 18 gal
Max flow rate 750 GPH
Footprint (L x W x H) 24 x 12 x 16 in
Skimmer chamber 8 x 11.5 in
Refugium chamber 10 x 7 in
Return chamber 10 x 4.5 in
Drain intake Single (one 1 in bulkhead)
Filter sock One 4 in filter sock
Drain hose One flexible drain hose
In the box AR-100 sump, one 1 in bulkhead, one 4 in filter sock, one flexible drain hose

AR-200 · 125 to 225 gal · 1,250 GPH

The mid-size Aqua-Fuge for 125 to 225 gallon systems. Dual 1 in drain intakes, 28 gallons of volume and an 11 x 13.5 in skimmer chamber that takes most mid-size in-sump skimmers, with a larger 11 x 8 in refugium for a real chaeto ball.

Specification Value
Item number 12865
Tank size 125 to 225 gal
Total water volume 28 gal
Max flow rate 1,250 GPH
Footprint (L x W x H) 30 x 14 x 16 in
Skimmer chamber 11 x 13.5 in
Refugium chamber 11 x 8 in
Return chamber 11 x 5.5 in
Drain intake Dual (two 1 in bulkheads)
Filter sock One 7 in filter sock
Drain hose Two flexible drain hoses
In the box AR-200 sump, two 1 in bulkheads, one 7 in filter sock, two flexible drain hoses

AR-300 · 225 to 300 gal · 2,000 GPH

The largest Aqua-Fuge, sized for 225 to 300 gallon displays. Dual 1 in intakes, 38 gallons and a 14 x 15.5 in skimmer chamber for full-size skimmers, plus a 14 x 9.5 in refugium. Measure the return section (14 x 4 in) against your pump before you commit to a big DC return.

Specification Value
Item number 12875
Tank size 225 to 300 gal
Total water volume 38 gal
Max flow rate 2,000 GPH
Footprint (L x W x H) 36 x 16 x 16 in
Skimmer chamber 14 x 15.5 in
Refugium chamber 14 x 9.5 in
Return chamber 14 x 4 in
Drain intake Dual (two 1 in bulkheads)
Filter sock One 7 in filter sock
Drain hose Two flexible drain hoses
In the box AR-300 sump, two 1 in bulkheads, one 7 in filter sock, two flexible drain hoses

Which Model Is Right for You?

AR-100 for 75 to 125 gallon tanks and 4 foot stands. Single drain, 18 gallons, 8 x 11.5 in skimmer chamber.

AR-200 for 125 to 225 gallon systems. Dual drains, 28 gallons, 11 x 13.5 in skimmer chamber and a bigger refugium.

AR-300 for 225 to 300 gallon displays. Dual drains, 38 gallons, 14 x 15.5 in skimmer chamber and up to 2,000 GPH.

Before you choose, measure the inside of your cabinet door and floor, then check the skimmer footprint against the skimmer chamber and the return pump against the return chamber. The refugium chamber is the one place you have flexibility.

Setting Up the Refugium

Drop a ball of chaeto in the refugium chamber, add a refugium light on a reverse cycle (on at night while the display lights are off, which also steadies pH), and seed it with live copepods. Feed the sump section lightly, keep the sock changed every few days, and harvest a third of the chaeto whenever it packs the chamber. That harvest is nitrate and phosphate leaving the system.

Recommended Pairings

FAQ

Does it come with a pump, skimmer or light?
No. The Aqua-Fuge is the sump only, with bulkheads, drain hose and a filter sock. Add a return pump, an in-sump skimmer and a refugium light to complete it.

Which filter sock does it take?
The AR-100 uses a 4 in sock. The AR-200 and AR-300 use a 7 in sock. One is included with each.

Do I have to run a skimmer?
No. The skimmer chamber can hold a media basket, a reactor or a heater on a lightly stocked tank, and the refugium still does its nutrient work.

How much flow should I send through it?
Stay under the model's max rating (750, 1,250 or 2,000 GPH) and aim for roughly five to ten times your display volume per hour through the sump.

Will it work on a freshwater tank?
Yes. A large planted or predator tank can use the refugium chamber for plants or extra biological media.

Why pickup only?
A sump this size is heavy and fragile, so we hold it for in-store pickup instead of shipping it.

View full details

Eshopps Aqua-Fuge Refugium Sump

Recently viewed products