Basic Refugium?

hi, guys,

I want to do a really basic refugium for my 46 gallon. To my understanding, all i really need is a tank (largest I can fit is 10 g) a pump with some airline tubing, and a siphon from the tank. Is this correct? I think I could do all that for under 100 dollars, but I feel as if I'm missing something. Also, can someone recommend a good pump and tubing that will fit together? And a siphon?

Thanks,

 

You can get hang on back type overflows if your tanks not drilled. Not sure about the pumps. Sure someone will have some good suggestions.

 

Seems like air line tubing may be a bit too small. 1/4 in PVC may be more apropriate if you are looking to keep things small. The biger the better in terms of sumps, but if 10 is all you can fit then go for it! Good luck! Post a pic when you're done.

 

there are lots of HOB refugiums as well if thats an option, even aquaclear 110 make nice modified refugiums, I dont know you might be able to do a 10g for around the same price though

 

the use of a siphon scare's me - how will you control a flood in a power loss? I use a pump to feed my refugium and a gravity return line to my sump ..... good solid set up.

As far as basic's, yeah you got the idea. You will require a light and some macr's. you can use a bucket if you want. Refugiums are simple, biggest important thing is to not fuss with it once its set up - just let it do what it will.

I would sugest you get the refugium next to and higher than your sump. Use a pump to provide flow to the refugium and then gravity feed to sump - or go with two pumps. two pumps will work in a power outtage, but is an issue if one dies. So please give that some thought.

 

i dont have a sump, i was just going to connect it to the dt. thanks though but maybe i could do a 10 gallon sump and then just do an aquaclear 110 mod on the back?

 

yeah you could but what size is your tank, if its realitively small you could, but larger tanks need a bit more IMO

 

46 g

 

Wait what if I fed my sump with an actual siphon- one that you would use to clean out a aquarium (gravel vacuum) that way the water would never go down a certain level (bc the siphon would remain at the top) and I could just tape it on?

 

I have a couple questions. What type of filter do you have right now? What are you needing the refugium to do? Is the filter you have enough to keep your tank parameters in the proper areas?

If you ask me what I think is best I need to know if your budget or tank vitals are more important. I would hate for you to get something and it doesnt work or do what you want to the levels that you are looking for.

Performance wise I think youre better off going with the 10g tank vs. an aquaclear. You dont get as much room with an aquaclear. Budget wise its going to cost you more because youre going to need something to take water out like and overflow and a pump to put it back. Dont take shortcuts when it comes to your overflow because the damage you can do to your home is not even close to what youll pay for a full blown sump/refugium.

I do like the idea of the aquaclear but the size is the issue. If having a small refugium because your water parameters are almost where you want them to be then I would go with this option. You may or may not need a large refugium.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

What you need is largely dependent on what youre trying to achieve and what your parameters are.