planning for first fuge

i've hunted thru the 3reef search engine for awhile without avail, so i'd like to ask y'all a few questions...

i'd like to build and start up a refugium for my existing 75 gal set-up. my goal is to have a display-quality refugium with inverts and macroalgae, possibly some sand-sifting fishes also.

questions
1) anyone know a good resource for learning how to cut & bond acrylic, and a good supply source for acrylic sheets?
2) is there a minimum size fuge for 75 gal tank?
3) can i put the fuge together, throw live sand (planning on DSB) in, and immediately connect it to my system, or does the fuge need to independantly cycle before joining the main system?
4) how many (and what are they) options exist for designing bubble traps? is there a favorite design?
5) what type of flow rates are recommended in a refugium (i'm assuming it goes slower than the 10x turnover in my main tank)
6) is there a good book just about refugium design?

tia
doog

 

1. No clue, always used glass tanks and baffles
2. not really, i usually go with 10 or 20g tanks but never intended a fuge as a pretty sight
3. the sand and things you put in the fuge are best cycled a bit
4. always used over/under baffles on the bigger sumps ive done i just shove sponge between them to help with debris also
5. the slower the better you want the plants to be able to do their job, for that they need to get a maximum exposure time to the nitrified water
6. no clue

 

1) you can get acrylic from Lowes. I built my fug using acrylic from Lowes.
Bonding, you can cut with table saw or hand saw, but the teeth needs to be small (wood saw is not ideal), but you need to sand it down. Make sure you cut them to the accurate size or you will have a lot of trouble putting them together. Lowes also cut them for you, but you still got to sand it down for a flat surface. It's also wise to get big clips (quick grip from Lowes) so you can hold the glued parts togeter for it to set. DO ONE SIDE at a time, takes longer, but trust me, it will be a lot easier for you to handle; especially the first time.

I bought weldon 3 and 6. 3 is like water, but it will bond the sheets together and quick. After everything is bonded using weldon 3, test out for leaks. If you have leaks, use weldon 6 (it's more like a glue) to fill the gaps. You tube has a video showing you how to glue acrylic. Search for Acrylic gluing or bonding.

2) I am not sure. My fuge is around 20gal

3) I would like to know the answer to this one as well.

4) Look at Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums. He has so many designs. Look at the left navigation bar for all the sump/fug design.

5) Not sure

6) Not sure

Good luck and have fun.

 

where did you bought the weld-on? I have search all over the web but can't not find it, other than the manufacturer. really like to buy some for my self

 

No idea... No help from me... Sorry...

 

These are what I bought:

Weldon 3
IPS Weld-On 3 Cement: TAP Plastics& (4 oz is more than enough. I did a 20gal fug and still have 1/2 left)

Weldon 16
IPS Weld-On 16 Cement: TAP Plastics& (I got 5 oz. Plenty of glue)

You need this for Weldon 3
Hypo-Type Solvent Cement Applicator: TAP Plastics& (I got small bd 25/2)

These are all solvent. If any of them get on you, wash them off. If it gets on acrylic, don't wipe it off, just let it sit. These are all chemicals, so use at your own risk. Good luck and enjoy the diy fug.

 

Why not just use a 10 gallon or 20 gallon glass aquarium? Much easier. You can get the baffles cut by any glass shop, just give them the dimensions of the baffles. Pretty inexpensive. Then you just need 1 or 2 tubes of silicone (about $4 each) to glue the baffles in. I connected mine to my sytem immediatley after filling with sand, live rock, and water. The flow rate depends on what you want in your fuge.

Some popular options:
DSB and caulerpa (1/10 your tank's volume and 1/10 your tanks flow per hour- in your case 7-8 gallons per hour).
Chaeto and 1-2 inches of sand (the more flow the better- within reason (don't want so much that your sand is blowing around the fuge)).
Either way: You can use a cfl twister type bulb. 6500k rating. Lowes and Walmart both have them. I use a 23watt 6500k bulb. Bought a 5 inch aluminum fixture at Lowes (clips onto side of tank) for $6.

 

I am going to build one myself here in the next couple of weeks. I have a 75g tank.

1.) Weld-on 3 and 16. Weld-on 16 is more for patchwork...it is thick and ugly looking. You can get 0.22 acrylic sheets at Home Depot or Lowes. DO NOT GET PLEXIGLAS. It will yellow and crack with age.

2.) 20g would probably be good. I am going for 30g. More room.

3.) Not sure......I think it would be best to cycle it independently.

4.) There is a nice three baffle set up that is outlined on Melevsreef.com.

5.) I believe it is one-tenth that of the tank. The flow is somewhat dictated by the design that you choose. If you offset the fuge portion, you have more control.

6.) Not that I know of. I am using Melevsreef.com exclusively. That dude has sooooooo many plans to choose from. Read up my friend.

Have fun!!!! ;D We can swap pics when we are done with our projects.

 

Plexiglas is acrylic.

Acrylic glass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks to all! I appreciate the advice - gonna start working on this project asap. Hope to see some more input from the experts on these pages...

doog:thumb_up: