Wet/Dry Plus Refugium

[killianaquarium]

I have a 55 gal FOWLR tank with with a ProClear Wet/Dry Slimline 60. This wet/dry has a CAP1800 pump which is rated at 476 gph. I have around 4 feet of head. My question is: If I add a refugium in addition to this wet/dry what type/size of pump will be needed? I am thinking that I will need the same gph. The current pump will be routed to the refugium and the new pump for the return back into the DT. The refugium is being made from a 10 gal, because that is all I have room for...

[chrisfont23]

I am using an Eheim 1262 dialed way back with about the same height. So either that or an Eheim 1260 would work for you.

[Reefing Madness]

Are you going to plump the 2 sumps together, via a pvc connection? If you plumb them together you don't need to change anything. If you don't plumb them together, your return flow is going to be dictated by what your intake flow is, or your overflow. In other words, how is the water going to get to your new fuge? That is what will tell you how much your return is going to be. Your return pump will match your overflow.

[killianaquarium]

The water will get to the fuge by pvc from the CAP1800 (476gph). What if I can't find the same model pump that I have now?

[Reefing Madness]

The water will get to the fuge by pvc from the CAP1800 (476gph). What if I can't find the same model pump that I have now?

You can still branch off from that fuge with pvc back to the sump to keep the flow even. On you retrun, run a T off that back to the sump with a Ball valve on it.

[killianaquarium]

Not sure I follow you RM. Does anyone know where I can find a aquaclear aquatics cap 1800?

[Reefing Madness]

http://www.amazon.com/ProClear-Aquat.../dp/B002ABLEVG

[killianaquarium]

http://www.amazon.com/ProClear-Aquat.../dp/B002ABLEVG

It says "currently unavailable." I wonder if these are discontinued?

[Reefing Madness]

It says "currently unavailable." I wonder if these are discontinued?

After doing alittle more digging, you may be right.

[killianaquarium]

Alright, just ordered a Rio Plus 2500 HP rated 782 GPH (0 head - I am assuming). I hope this is adjustable. I will have to match it with my current CAP1800 rated 476 GPH (not sure if this number includes head). The new pump will have around 4ft of head.

I now ask the magical question. What, if any, substrate do I use in the refugium? I have read bare bottom all the way to unscented kitty litter.

[Reefing Madness]

I would recommend none. Its not needed. You can throw some rock in there, but mainly your growing cheato, Calpera, and other algae to eat the bad nutrients in the water column. You want a perfect fuge, then look into using a Algae Turf Scrubber, now that will strip the water to perfectly clean.

[killianaquarium]

I am seriously considering changing all to pvc plumbing. RM, you are saying T off the return from the fuge back to the wet/dry and put a ball valve to control the flow? For some reason I was thinking T off the inflow to both fuge and wet/dry and then run the fuge to the wet/dry...

[Reefing Madness]

I am seriously considering changing all to pvc plumbing. RM, you are saying T off the return from the fuge back to the wet/dry and put a ball valve to control the flow? For some reason I was thinking T off the inflow to both fuge and wet/dry and then run the fuge to the wet/dry...

You can use flex pipe for your intake lines. You should use PVC pipe for your return line. You need to T off of the return line, and make a line back to the fuge, with a ball valve in it so you can fine tune your water return. you want your return flow to match your intake flow as close as possible.
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums
Read under "How do I determine what return pump I need"

[killianaquarium]

So I have built a sump/refugium combo out of a 20 gal long. Skimmer---->Return<----Refugium. Bought a Rio+2500 pump for the return. i plan on using my existing overflow. My question lies with the compound used to seal the pvc plumbing. What do I use that will not be detrimental to my tank?

[Reefing Madness]

The PVC Glue will not harm anything in the tank. People use it all the time. If you ever just Google sumps, the purple you see on the pvc is the primer, we all use it.

[ShooterRick]

My 72 is plumbed all flex both supply and return. So far no probs and it is alot easier to work with and I can see if it is obstructed. Not a pro but at the pressures we are talking about I think it is fine.

[Reefing Madness]

Whats your return rate, with head, and where did you get the flex at?

[killianaquarium]

A few problems that have arose. My current Overflow is not running as fast as my return. So I have the ball valve turned around 80% open returning water back to the sump. Could I contruct an overflow from 1" pvc that would take more water flow to the sump/fuge? Also, My skimmer is probably running in too deep of water. It should run in about 6" of water but my baffles are 9". I built a stand for the skimmer to sit on in the sump but I found I was limited in the amount of space underneath the tank. Do you know of a skimmer that is more compact that can run in 9" of water? or any suggestions there?

[killianaquarium]

2012-02-20_15-29-09_692.jpg picture by killianphotobucket - Photobucket

2012-02-20_15-29-24_509.jpg picture by killianphotobucket - Photobucket

[ShooterRick]

Whats your return rate, with head, and where did you get the flex at?

At 4 ft of head my return is about 400 gph through 3/4 inch flex. I purchased the flex at I believe Aqua Cave which is a online store I have had some good service with. I also purchased the barb fittings and nylon clamps at the same time. I believe my pump will push 450 gph at 4 ft head through 1 inch but didnt feel 1 inch was needed. At about 75 gal system capacity with my stream pump and K3 850s x 2 my turnover may even be to high as I shift sand slowly over time.