Can i use a 38gallon tank for a refugium???

Can i use a 38gallon tank for a refugium???
I originally planned on using a 40 gallon breeder. But when i brought it home it doesn't fit inside my stand by about an inch, too wide.
But i am able to get a 38 gallon in there which is 36x12x20 (lxwxh)

My concern is that it is too narrow??? and experiences?
Should i just make my baffles taller, if so how high should they be?
Thanks
Kevin

 

You can use just about anything for a refugium. If you have your return section in the center, the baffle to the refugium should be close to the bottom of the rim so you get the full height of the tank for a DSB, live rocks, macros. Than it would drain to the return section. This is if you have the skimmer section then the return and fuge on the other end.

It might be a little more difficult if the fuge is in the center instead.

 

Go as big as you can when it comes to sump/refuge.

 

Does it matter that my surface area in the refuge is smaller, deeper but smaller surface area???

 

Depends on what you plan to put in it, i.e. if you're planning a DSB, that will be smaller.. still functional, but smaller. If you're planning on macro algae or a pod farm, won't make much difference.

FWIW, some use 10g tanks, and some even use HOB power filters for fuges, so you can basically use whatever will fit, and just be creative with the design.

 

If the tank is 36x12x20 (lxwxh)
can someone suggest to me a design in terms of baffles and size of the sections.
I am thinking of doing a skimmer--->return---->refuge section.
12x12 ----> 10x12---> 12x12
With baffles i wanna do over under over with a 1" in between (from skimmer to return section). And 1 baffle from the refuge to the return section (does it need teeth or notches?)

Does my design work???
Do i need to have a live rock compartment for the water to flow into the skimmer section?

 

Your design looks just fine. No, the baffles do not need teeth or notches, and no, you do not need a LR section.

 

The tank is 20" high so i am thinking of doing 16" high baffles with the under baffle being 1" inch off the bottom. Is that going to work or is it too high in case of a failure/power outtage?

 

I'd leave at least 6" just for an extra margin of safety, so that would be 14" max height on the baffles.