DIY Refugium for rear filtration tanks

I have Seaclear system 2 tank which has the filtration built into the rear of the tank. Many people on 3reef.com have been trying to figure out different ways to add a fuge to a tank with built in filtration. This is what I did I hope it helps others with similar tanks.

1) I purchased the appropriate size Rubber Maid container that would fit into my stand. I then purchase the following:

1. Submersible pump (you need to chose the right pump for your setup based on how many feet the water has to be pumped up to the display tank.
2. Baffles for the fuge and display tank.
3. The hoses to connect the Baffles and pump.
4. Two ball valves to control the water flow.
5. Small piece of acrylic to make a barrier in the fuge.
6. One Current 12" satellite 18 watt 10,000K Actinic Lamp.

Here is the bucket with parts inside



I cut small rectangles in the lid to mount the feet of the lamp into.


Lamp mounted onto the lid and I also cut out a hole in the lid for the light to pass through into the fuge.


This is the container with one baffle mounted and one open hole for the hose from the pump to pass through. Use a hole saw to drill out the hole for the size baffle you use.


Pump installed and a piece of acrylic I super glued into the container to prevent Cheato and other stuff from cloging the pump.



I added these ball valves to control the flow of water to and from the fuge.



Here is the finished product.


Here is a diagram of where I placed the baffles in the back of my tank. The water from the tank to the Fuge is on the right by the filter pad. I gravity to feed this part. THe return is on the left of the tank which is where the clean water is then pumped into the front of the tank.


I hope this helps out. If anyone has questions just let me know and I wil try to help.

 

Great job!!!! Is it hooked up yet? Luna

 

I hooked it up lastnight and sat there for about an hour to get the incoming and out going water to match. I put so cheato in today. I am worried about a possible flood in a power outage. I will test that out next week

 

Did you put a ball valve to control the flow? Luna

 

looks good

 

yes. But due to the gravity fed for the water to the fuge I could not put a check valve in.

 

Your better off without a check valve, they tend to jam after time. Luna

 

I did not know that. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't flood. I had one of those bo boo's already on my wood floors. My wife did not like that much.

 

nicee.... karma to you

 

Have you tried shutting off the power and see how far up the water goes? Luna