refugium set-ups

[gramma royale]

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone has a diagram, link, or instructions on how to build a basic below-the-tank refugium. I'm kinda stumped as to what is needed, what an overflow box is , and generally just where to start! The tank I'm gonna use for my refugium is an 18 gallon glass. My main tank will be a 29 gallon eclipse system. The refugium will sit under the main tank in the cabinet stand. Thanks for your help guys!

[murchadh]

Hi Gramma!!!
There are some great sites out there that can point you in the way of a DIY sump/refugium. If you had the money, and wanted to save some hassle you could just get one of those new, nifty CPR hang on refugiums. I really haven't heard anything about them though...
Anyways, sites: www.angelfire.com/ok/dog1/sumps.html
www.northernreef.org
www.ozreef.org/diy/sump.html
www.enter.net/~reef101/diysump.html
http://www.cyberreefguru.com/fish/re.../overflow.html
there is also a thread on ReefCentral.com that is in the DIY section and is very helpful. I think it is called "can somebody help a woman build a sump?"
HTH
Murchadh

[SPasse]

gramma royale,

Also check out my site.

I will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have.

Regards,

Scott Passe

[cod]

I have an under tank refugium. There wasn't really any building to do. I have a 10gal that I got at a local discount store. The over flow on the main tank ( this is an over flow ) drains into the refugium, which sits on a 2" riser/ frame. From the refugium, a second over flow drains into another 10gal tank(sump) which sits right beside the refugium, and contains a skimmer, and return pump. BTW, I leave enough room in the sump to hold any back flow in case of a power outage (A lesson I learned the hard way )

The box hangs on the back of the tank. Water flows into the front (clear) part and is siphoned via a U shaped tube to the back box where it drains to where ever the plumbing takes it. I use flex pvc for this because it is much easier to work with, and quieter than rigid pipe.
The front compartment of overflow boxes can be used for chemical media, and a sponge filter can be put on the stand pipe in the drain side of the box.

IMO this set up works just as well, and is much cheaper than "store bought" sump/refugiums. Your choice depends on your budget, and how much you enjoy DYI ;)

P.S. The link to the site with the pic of the overflow box is in no way a recomendation of that product, or that on line retailer, that was just the best photo I could find at that moment.

P.P.S. As Spasse noted, feel free to email any specific questions.

[gramma royale]

nice! Thanks for the info guys! I'm still not sure if I need the overflow box as I plan to use a mechinical pump to bring water down to the refugium and a pump to bring the water back to the main tank. Also, the eclipse hood really doesn't allow for a overflow box . Is this a bad set up here? I'm figuring that it should be a sound set up in that in case of a power outage, the pumps would simply stop working and no water would be pumped into the refugium or out of it. What do you guys think?

[cod]

Yeah, you will be much better off to go with the pumps. You will definitly be covered in a power outage!

Refugiums are great not only for nutrient removal, but also to add gallonage to your system so your numbers will stay more stable

Good Luck!

[organicreefer]

how do you plan to get the pumps flow rate to match?what if one fails?doesnt sound like a great idea to me

[Ironreef]

ditto you need to use one pump max. the other need to flow via gravity. If the pump fails the water will stop. If you use 2 pumps one fails the other will flood or drain all out.

[organicreefer]

gramma,just drill the tank youreself and either use a standpipe or you could drill it in the center on the back and just use a bulkhead with a strainer you dont necessarily need an overflow box.i dont use one on my current setup and only once in a year has the flow been partially blocked (might have lost a gallon)

[gramma royale]

well, I probably can use an overflow box, it just means I'll have to cut away at some of the plastic hood. I don't really want to drill it for fear of cracking the glass. Also, thanks for warning me about synching the pumps. Obviously, I'm still a newbie to reef-keeping and it never even occurred to me that I'd need to synch the pumps . Anyhow, my new question is about the overflow box. Basically, how much does a decent on cost? I saw some on the net and they ranged from about $50-$75. Is this about right or am I looking at the high-end stuff?Thanks again for the help guys, I appreciate it.

[chromis]

gramma, first things first forget CPR as an option. Lifereef and AGA are the 2 brands I have seen work well. Also forget any overlow with a j tube. I have a J tube and a U tube running side by side and the J tube needs to be restarted at least once a day. You can find pics of my setup here


HTH
Andrew

[cod]

you will be much better off to go with the pumps

I should have said,"You'll be better off with pumps if you don't want to cut your hood." I stand corrected! An overflow would be easier to work with.

The pump idea will work, but to solve the previously mentioned
problems would take a little doing.

First, the pumps' flow rates would have to be close to the same, taking into account head loss of the return pump [
Head loss calculator ]. The return pump would need to have a flow rate a little higher than the result of the calculation so it could be fine tuned with the valve that comes with the pump, or a pvc ball valve that would need to be plumbed into the return line.

Second, to eliminate the threat of a spill due to pump failure, purchase good quality pumps, and clean them regularly. Place the pump inlets as close as possible to the water line ( There are 7.48gal.H2O/ cubic ft.). If either of the pumps fail, the other pump will run dry before much of a spill takes place. Be aware that if pumps run dry too long, they will burn up. To me, however, this is better than having the liquid contents of your tank pumped onto the floor.

I realize that this is not exactly a marvle of hydrodynamics, but with a little luck (which we all depend on sometimes) it would work

If you don't mind cutting your hood, get the overflow. Look for a sale, I paid ~ $35 for mine.

[organicreefer]

gramma, is youre tank acrylic or glass?

[gramma royale]

glass, which is why I'm hesitant to drilled it. I also tried to find a company that would drill the glass for me, but all I could find in my area was a custom glassware shop that wanted to charge me $50 to drill a hole...but they would round the hole's edges so it wouldn't be sharp woohoo.

[organicreefer]

well then i understand why you are hesitant.50 bucks sounds like a bit much,but in the long run i GUARANTEE youll be happy you did it.peace of mind etc.i have drilled two thirties and ten myself and it really is much easier than i would have imagined.if youre at all handy and have a variable speed drill,i might consider that option if money is a real issue(i dont see how it can be ,were talking about a reef tank ),the bit is only like ten bucks at hd.otherwise 50$ is the price of one nice fish/coral...........best of luck

[scubadude]

Here is a link to my Refugium...with diagrams and pictures and notes

http://home.earthlink.net/~tents/refugium.html

FWIW if you have a glass tank and want to drill it just make sure the panel that you drill is NOT tempered or it will shatter once they try to drill it. 50 bux isnt cheap but I believe as mentioned above the it would be worth it....I would definately scrap the pump idea and think more along the lines of an Overflow or drilling the tank (preferably drilling) Good Luck

[cod]

Hey Gramma, is your 29gal. set up?

My main tank will be a 29 gallon

Do you mean tank will be 29gal. when you set it up, or 29gal. will be feeding the refugium?

[gramma royale]

My main tank will be a 29 gallon, I also just bought the Ecosystem 40 for the refugium. Anyone have any reviews about this particular system? I've read the reviews for the larger ecosystem refugiums and they're all positive.

[cod]

Oh, O.K.. For some reason I was under the I was under the impression that we were talking about an up n running system. But when I was reading over this post, It dawned on me that you were talking about a brand new tank. So I thought I would ask.

I have read good things about the Ecosystem.