diy refugium help

I am running a 72g bowfront mixed assortment of corals with 2x250w mh and 4x65w pc actinics. 3-4" sandbed in display tank. it is pre-drilled with a megaflow 2 sump. 125g coralife super skimmer. i have very little space underneather and am making a refugium seperate out of a rubbermade trash bin.

I installed a 3/4" bulkhead near the top as a drain. My plan is to put a 100-300gph pump in the sump to feed the refugium. add either 5" sand bed or some mud, lr rubble, and some macro algae. I am going to get a clip on 65w 6500k work light and probably run it 24/7. my goal is nutrient export, and the pods would be nice for food even if alot get shopped up by the return.

The dimensions of the refugium are:
14x12x18 - a tall set up.

1) what would be the reccomended flow rate/pump?
2) sand or mud in your opinion?
3) can i simply use flex tubing for the water beed in the refuge as enough movement?
4) should the drain from the fuge do straight into the return pump chamber ?
5) run the light 24/7?

 

I can try to help...

1. Don't know gph but you want it to be pretty slow.
2. I like sand, others like mud, it's a matter of opinion, they say there are benefits to both.
3. Not really sure what you are asking (it's probably just me).
4. Yeah you want the fuge water to go straight to the display tank if you can.
5. Run the lights opposite your display tank lights, this keeps the pH from swinging.

 

1. Depends on what your going to have in the Refug.
2. If your planning on having Mangroves, use sand better, unless you float the mangroves.
3. You should install a T on your return line and have one of the two lines go into the refug. With a ball valve of course to regulate the flow.
4. Yes you can, or you will have to buy another pump for the refug.
5. Personal pref. and depends on what macroalgae your planning on having. But opposite lighting schdule is recommended.


[SCROLL]Luna[/SCROLL]

 

if i used a tee and a ball valve would it need to be pvc piping?


i plan on using chaeto and Caulerpa along with lr rubble i guess. goal is nutrient export and pods.

 

Not necessarily, you can use flexible hose. They do sell threaded ball valves that can be connect to the hose by a threaded-barbed fitting.

It is not recommended to use Caulerpa on a 24/7 lighting schedule, but from my understanding, Cheato can. Luna

 

i was thinking of using the t at the drain line instead of the return so i don't lose any flow from the return.

what do you think of this set up?

 

marvollo, that trash can you showed will be the fuge? I don't mean to rain on the parade but that bin WILL crack and leak on the bottom. No question. Those bins are not meant to hold weight, esp a good amount of sand and heavy meerwasser. Not to mention that the meerwasser will eventually weaken the plastic causing a flood. ESP since the bottom is not supported, trust me I've tried bins before and even with the bottom supported they eventually give way. I would look to an alternative solution. Maybe take out the megaflow sump?!

Happy brainstroming!

 

I have seen them like that and that's how I was planning on doing mine too... If you put it on the return line though it's good because you're taking nice clean skimmed water and putting it in the fuge instead of water straight from the display tank. I've seen debates on that both ways, not sure how much of a difference it really makes.

 

Marvollo, Thats how my fuge is fed. I teed off one of my drain lines, then to a ball valve. From there it goes to a 90 and drops into the fuge. I use a 20 gallon long tank for my fuge with a clip on light. I made a stand for it to elevate it higher than my sump. I then drilled the one end and fittted a bulkhead with a downpipe right into my return chamber in my sump. I'll send a pic

 

looks ok but you will have to put the ball valve on the down side of the tee or the water will just bypass the ball valve