DIY Refugium

My summer project is going to be creating my own fuge, except I really am not sure how i am going to build it. I am going to want to build it on the side of my tank, where I can fit about a 5 gallon or so. I need to make sure I can get the pumps working and have them fit to and from the fuge. I am a little confused on building the fuge, pertaining to the intake side and outtake side.

I am also wondering about how much on an average or estimated the fuge would cost, depending on what I set it up with and equipment costs.

I would like to hear about others' DIY projects they did with making a refugium, because it would really help me out.

I also believe the fuge needs to be like 10-20%$ of the tank volume which is about 4-7 gallons. Generally the size I am looking for.

 

I am personally going to oversize everything on my tank a 55 with a 30gal. sump with either a 10gal single tank fuge or a 15gal two tank fuge? Still deciding. If I were you and had a sump I would tie it in down there. I am not good at acyrlic bending/fusing so I would not make a fuge but I know some people are very talented w/ it so I am sure It could be done. A good supplier I know of is Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Pet Meds & Pet Products: Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Supplies they have a few different models 2of which hang on the tank and are 5-15 gal I Think Good luck!

 

Unfortunatly my tank stand does not allow a lot of room. I barely have the space. Since it is bowed it is even more difficult, but I can make it so there is a tight squeeze possibly. I do not have a sump, and was just planning on the fuge. I am going to do a measurement under my tank now.

I also do not know the difficult of it, was just suggested to doing so a while back. I might be able to buy a tank that fits, and just fill in the acryllic pieces and plumbing myself, which would probably be easier.

 

Mine is very simple, cheap, and effective. My tank is a 110gal tall, and the fuge is a cheapo 10 gallon aquarium with home made baffles. The macros grow like wild fire, and need pruned once a week. It's hard to see in the pics, but there are also 8 red mangroves growing in there. The right side (inlet) chamber is approx 4" wide, and filled with live rock rubble. The inlet tube flows water in from the bottom of the chamber, and it flows up through the rock. The middle chamber holds the macros and about 3" of aragonite sand. The left chamber houses a small power head for increased circulation, and a RIO 1400 pump as a return to the aquarium. Flow is approx. 230GPH, Lighting is a 6500K spiral fluorescent bulb with a hardware store reflector. As you can see, I have hardly any room in the stand, and no "sump" to speak of. I use a hang on Coralife Super Skimmer 125, and a Magnum 350 for carbon. Cost wise, and performance wise, this setup has been excellent for us, and didn't break the bank.

 

Drs foster smith have an intank fuge. Just if you wanted?? Why are you making a fuge anyways??

 

First of all, I need to build it so that it fits properly underneath my tank, which I just decided it was giong to go if I can in fact fit a tank down there. A normal refugium wouldn't fit at all, and is pretty expensive. By being handy I can create it the way I need it and I will save some cash. Good project for me to do anyway. I am going to consider an in-tank refugium also until my fuge is built.

Underneath my tank is about 26 inches in length, and has a width of about 8 inches max. 7 inches would be best for the width, won't be a tight squeeze, but I don't know of many tanks with that type of width. Got a couple big openings in the back too so I can get my pumps and such through with ease.

 

Cool~! Do you already have a sump? I know a 10gal wont fit??? Maby custom tank? I am personally rebuilding my 55's stand to fit a sump in right now I have less than 1o in to fit a tank in, but once I am finished I will have 2 ft. So i can turn a ten perpendicular to the tank. Good luck!

 

I do not have a sump yet, and it will be expensive if I set-up my own custom tank.

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/my-first-refugium-35199-post328476.html#post328476 You could try this. The larger hose is a siphon from the main tank, a small powerhead returned it. The tops of both tanks are at the same level, Worked good

 

Hmm. Good link trying it again Karma