Refigum Help

[orion25]

I have a 55g reef with a Nurace to off system. I also have a 10g sump on this tank. Until recently I was using a 10g tank as a quarntine tank. This tank was treated with copper!

My question is this. Can I use the old quarintine tank as a refigum or should I buy another one. Also, how would I set it up so thet the Ref. would receive the water flow it needs? I have a 29g stand at my disposal.

I wanted to put the Nurace in the 29g stand and put the sump and ref. in the 55g stand. How would I plumb this? Please help!!

Ryan

[Reefland]

I would dump the old 10 and pick up a new one. They are so inexpensive I wouldn't take a chance. Since your making this a combo, I assume your going to use some baffles, so use the old one to practice on.

How much water are you going to flow through the sump/refugium? If large amounts, split your single drain in two and run on after the refuge.

Scott

[orion25]

Thanks I will be getting a new 10g tomorrow. The 10g I have will remain a sump only. The new 10g will be a ref. only. I do not see any reason to use any baffels. All the ref will have is critters and sand. What I need to know is how to plumb it next to the sump.

As far as the flow through the Ref. I have no idea. What is ideal?

Ryan

[Reefland]

Ok, I missed it originally. You have an existing 10gal sump and now going to add a new 10gal for a refugium.

Plumbing them next to each other will be a challenge. The easiest way would be to have the new 10gal drilled on one end, a few inches from the top. Place the tank on some sort of riser to elevate the bulkead above the top of the 10gal sump. Use an elbow in the bulkhead and let the refugium gravity feed to the sump. Getting it drilled would be the hard part unless you know someone that can do it.

If drilling isn't an option, you could get a small overflow box for the diplay and a small return pump for the refugium and plumb it like you would a sump.

For flow, you want to make sure it's circulating, but not really turbulent. 100gph would be fine.

Scott

[orion25]

OK it sounds like it will be really difficult to run the sump and ref side by side. So, how would I go about making a 29g ref that sits on the stand I already have?

I want to avoid drilling if at all possible.

Ryan

[Reefland]

Well if the tank sits lower than the display, you can use an overflow from the display to the refugium and a pump to go straight back to the display. If it is equal height, your in the same situation as under the display with the 10gal tanks.

[orion25]

Well, could I have a sump that incorporates a ref built in and will fit in the 55g stand? Then I could put the Nurace in the 29g stand and not have to worry about drilling the sump and ref.

I know that Reefland offers custom sumps. What would be the cost on something like this? Please reply through email if you prefer.

Ryan

[Reefland]

You have mail.

Also, I am moving this to the Tanks, Filtration and Basic Equipment Forum.

Scott

[organicreefer]

orion25,
have you thought of putting the new refugium above you display,after all that is the optimum configuration.a powerhead feeds the reffugium and it overflows into the display.as far as drilling it check the diy forum i recently drilled a couple 30 gallons and will be drilling this 10 gallon.hth

[Reefland]

Several people here have been drilling glass lately with success. You might search the DIY forum, it may be a little easier than thought.

Scott