DIY marineland 200 fuge...need help

I'm trying to mod this up for a 5.5 AGA mantis and zoa tank, almost all diy equipment.

I haven't done much to it yet, I cut some eggcrate to hold the cheato, got some live rock rubble, and spray painted the lid so that the light doesn't leak out when it's on the reverse cycle.

The flow rate is 200 gph, I don't know how much water is in the reservoir but it isn't much (maybe 2 quarts), so the turnover in the fuge is way too high. I've tried plexi glass in the slot to act as a overflow into the fuge. This way most of the water gets diverted back to the tank through the built in overflow, but it is still too fast.

>Is there a prop mod for this filter to slow it way down?
>If I put a bulkhead in the filter and have it divert back to the tank or a sump what size pipe will be sufficient for about 150gph (1/2")?
>I think someone tried a rio 900 in the first part but I don't think it will fit.

 

I don't know much about electrical componants but was wondering what would happen if a light-dimmer switch was placed inline before the outlet plug? It worked on a PC fan I have to change its speed.

 

If you are trying to make a refugium for a 5.5 gal tank then all you want is about 4 to 5 gals an hr flowing through it. I'd get a very small pump like the the little maxi that is used to mix salt I.O salt used to give them away .. Mini maxi's I think they are called. and they are very adjustable for flow control
As for using a rheostat on a pump motor that's not a good idea as you lower the amperage the motor will heat up and will cause a burn out.. Any motor on a rheostat has to be made for that use..
That's why all say ceiling fan's rheostat switches now start on high then you lower it But they have the winding to handle the heat. And most blower's are made with speed control circuits that switch speeds for A/C or heating purpose.

As for what I have found for a fuge is 10% of the total water volume of the main tank and then 10% of the total volume of the fuge through it per hr. That way you allow time for the nuturients to settle and feed the plants so you have a 5 gal tank them you want about a 1 gal fuge and the about one gph throughthe fuge..Any thin g less then a gallon would be usless you might need to supplement the plants at some point unless you over feed a little .

 

I somewhat fixed the problem, it looks like the only way to do it is to put a powerhead in the smaller chamber. I'm thinking about ordering a PICO pump that is 145 gph, that would also make a pretty good powerhead. I also cut some acrylic to make an overflow for the fuge. I'm going to silicone it in and drill a small hole so I get a very slow flow, I also cut it some so that the water overflows faster. It's looking like it's going to work very well. I'll post some pics as I get some more work done.

 

I used an Emperor 400 for a short time (went to AGA refugium so I could have other inhabitants) and I liked it as it could be adjusted from the full 400gph down to virtually no flow. Held about a gallon+.

 

I have made many Hang on fuges for people over the last few yrs and I always just put the pump chamber on one end and then a small J tube on the other for the inlet .. The little Maxie's worked the best as far As I was concerned and lasted the longest. Very easy to restrict .. But thats my opinion and all know what is said about peoples opinions