Refugium....is this a good setup!?

[danielcassar]

Hi all, I wish to have some opinions regards this refugium set-up!?
any comment or different set-up!?

Thanks
daniel

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Is this for a reef tank or FOWLER?

[danielcassar]

Is this for a reef tank or FOWLER?

for some softies,polyps and leather type of corals.

[Reefing Madness]

Whats going to hold theceramic rings in place, in the first section? I would leave those out, they are going create a headache for you in the long runanyways. And looks ok after that.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

[danielcassar]

Whats going to hold theceramic rings in place, in the first section? I would leave those out, they are going create a headache for you in the long runanyways. And looks ok after that.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

Thanks...it is just a sketch...thats why i need opnions.....ceramic rings were going to be in a net to hold in their place

[danielcassar]

Thanks...it is just a sketch...thats why i need opnions.....ceramic rings were going to be in a net to hold in their place

this morning i did some alterations regards to the first setup,i was thinking that i will shift the media at the first stage...since more flow pass into them......i also increased the depth of the water level....by placing the skimmer on an egg crate (since my skimmer works well on only 20cm water level)...picture included. please feel free to criticise...i need to learn

[Reefing Madness]

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

That's pretty much how I have mine set up.

[danielcassar]

That's pretty much how I have mine set up.

so its a good setup?....cause i had some comments on other forums which suggested me to have 2 different water outlets with 75% to skimmer area and 25% to refugium area,with the return pump in the middle.Also there were comments telling me that its important that water in the refugium shouldnt be all skimmed water..also one told me that the chemical part should come after the biological area!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

If I could do it over, I would put the fuge on the opposite side, with the return in the middle. I'm not sure it wold be better, worse, or the same but I like the idea of being able to control the flow through the fuge and the sump seperately. Also, I think with the return in the middle, it would be easier to have different water levels in each chamber for skimmers that require less water depth. My skimmer is in water about 2-3 inches deeper than recommended. I raised it as much as I could, but because of the sump design, and my taller than normal baffles, that's the best it was gonna get.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Also there were comments telling me that its important that water in the refugium shouldnt be all skimmed water..also one told me that the chemical part should come after the biological area!

I personally don't think it really matters weather or not the water is skimmed before entering the fuge. Much of the water bypasses the skimmer so there would still be plenty of nutrients to fuel the fuge.

[danielcassar]

I personally don't think it really matters weather or not the water is skimmed before entering the fuge. Much of the water bypasses the skimmer so there would still be plenty of nutrients to fuel the fuge.

that was my taught when i read it....its impossible for the water to be all skimmed in the first part!ur idea is good,im still planning on how i will do my refugium,so i can do changes ..the problem is that at the moment i only have 1 water outlet from the overflow...the idea and the sketch of having two outlets is for possible future upgrade ...also i have limited space under my tank.this is going to be my first time playing with glass and silicone hehe...speaking of...do u know a thread on how DYI aquariums?thanks daniel

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I looked into building my own aquarium for a little bit and found a bunch of articles and videos online but decided against it in the end. I didn't want to risk my livestock because of my own inexperience. My tank was relatively cheap and I'm sure the quality is much better than I would have made it.

I do plan on making a small frag tank in the not so near future. If I/ it were to fail, it wouldn't be as big a mess (as opposed to building my own 75g DT) and I could rush the frags to my main tank if I needed to.

[danielcassar]

I looked into building my own aquarium for a little bit and found a bunch of articles and videos online but decided against it in the end. I didn't want to risk my livestock because of my own inexperience. My tank was relatively cheap and I'm sure the quality is much better than I would have made it.

I do plan on making a small frag tank in the not so near future. If I/ it were to fail, it wouldn't be as big a mess (as opposed to building my own 75g DT) and I could rush the frags to my main tank if I needed to.

im eager to experiment ..but maybe as u said...its risky! so i might buy an aquarium with my measurments and than i will do the baffles by myself....i dont think that doing baffles is that difficult!

[chrisfont23]

Just my two cents... where the intake hose will be - you may want to build a small chamber or toss some live rock right underneath that. Finally, where the return is, you may also want a small bubble chamber. Think inverted baffle. Check out melvsreef for some examples. Hope that helps. This is how I am building mine - I will post pics on my build thread as I progress

[danielcassar]

Just my two cents... where the intake hose will be - you may want to build a small chamber or toss some live rock right underneath that. Finally, where the return is, you may also want a small bubble chamber. Think inverted baffle. Check out melvsreef for some examples. Hope that helps. This is how I am building mine - I will post pics on my build thread as I progress

thanks for that link!
its a good idea regards the inverted baffle...altough to cut glass like that its quite difficult. when u post your pics please let me know!

im still not sure on the first stage (the chemical part) cause im receiving alot of comments that its not good the setup and that its nonsense to have the chemical part at the first stage...so i dont know what i will do.....just an important note...that all chemicals will be placed when needed..and they will be placed in the bag (which will be with the product).

Thanks
daniel

[chrisfont23]

Uh...well, I am not sure of your location - assuming in the Med Sea. Here in the states we have a company called "Lowes" and in NY - well, Long Island for that matter - there is one like every 10 miles. They cut glass. So it's super easy. For a 20 gallon long, you need about a 9 or 9 1/2 inch baffle to start and then step it down from the for adequate flow. Basically, the bubble trap should be about in inch off the base of the aquarium bottom. Here is my thread. I am adding the bubble trap tonight - will post pics. Of you do this, and use glass, just make sure to curb that sharp edge or you will inadvertently cut yourself on it one day.

I think the chemical stage is a giant waste of money and effort. I would run GFO there. No more. No less. The fuge, DSB and your flow should be adequate. At worst - maybe you add a water polishing pad or something - well, that is if you don't plan on having pods. Lot of thought to go into a sump / fuge... want to do it right. Once.

HTH

[danielcassar]

Uh...well, I am not sure of your location - assuming in the Med Sea. Here in the states we have a company called "Lowes" and in NY - well, Long Island for that matter - there is one like every 10 miles. They cut glass. So it's super easy. For a 20 gallon long, you need about a 9 or 9 1/2 inch baffle to start and then step it down from the for adequate flow. Basically, the bubble trap should be about in inch off the base of the aquarium bottom. Here is my thread. I am adding the bubble trap tonight - will post pics. Of you do this, and use glass, just make sure to curb that sharp edge or you will inadvertently cut yourself on it one day.

I think the chemical stage is a giant waste of money and effort. I would run GFO there. No more. No less. The fuge, DSB and your flow should be adequate. At worst - maybe you add a water polishing pad or something - well, that is if you don't plan on having pods. Lot of thought to go into a sump / fuge... want to do it right. Once.

HTH

yeap...to be excatly in the middle of the Mediterranean sea!
this is my first DIY project...so i need to get know from where i need to buy glass ....and yeah i had an experience of cutting my finger with aquarium glass! so im aware of that dont worry
thanks for your thread....i will have a look for sure!

i think i will remove the chemical area....for me would be much easier to assemble the glass etc whats GFO stands for!?....

thanks daniel

[Reefing Madness]

Granular Ferric Oxide
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...sphate-remover

[chrisfont23]

yeap...to be excatly in the middle of the Mediterranean sea! this is my first DIY project...so i need to get know from where i need to buy glass ....and yeah i had an experience of cutting my finger with aquarium glass! so im aware of that dont worry thanks for your thread....i will have a look for sure!i think i will remove the chemical area....for me would be much easier to assemble the glass etc whats GFO stands for!?....thanks daniel

I just finished my bubble chamber up. So the sump is basically done. I will post pictures later. Just one thing - if you do decide to add a baffle like this cut it to the width of the tank so it fits without having to hold it up ( from the bottom). It's a lot easier. I will post a pic or two for you on my thread.