First Refuge

[spkdtch]

I plan on setting up my first refuge for my 40 gal tank. The goal is to breed pods and plants/algae(basically a food storage tank). I am still a bit confused by the plumbing issue. I want the fuge to be an above tank setup so the return line doesnt chew up all the pods when they go through a pump.
So heres my question, is this the right idea? a pump sends water from my DT to the display tank, thats one set of pvc tubing. Then a hole cut into the side of the fuge is where the return line is placed so gravity pulls the water and pods back to the DT. On either or both lines, i add a valve to control the amount of flow so neither tank overflows
is that right?
also, would i need to cycle a refuge? not sure how i would do that, but id rather ask and sound stupid than have a spike in levels kill everything in my DT

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
Originally Posted by spkdtch
http:///forum/post/3001077
I plan on setting up my first refuge for my 40 gal tank. The goal is to breed pods and plants/algae(basically a food storage tank). I am still a bit confused by the plumbing issue. I want the fuge to be an above tank setup so the return line doesnt chew up all the pods when they go through a pump.
So heres my question, is this the right idea? a pump sends water from my DT to the display tank(you mean the refuge?), thats one set of pvc tubing. Then a hole cut into the side of the fuge is where the return line is placed so gravity pulls the water and pods back to the DT(you can build a baffle to act as an overflow so that when the pump fails it does not drain you refuge completely). On either or both lines, i add a valve to control the amount of flow so neither tank overflows
is that right? Basically yeah. Just make sure that the pvc pipe is adequate (correct diameter) to return more than your pump can deliver (see comment above).
also, would i need to cycle a refuge? (If you add the tank with just sand, than no. If yuo add live rock, than maybe curing the rock first would help) not sure how i would do that, but id rather ask and sound stupid than have a spike in levels kill everything in my DT

 

[spkdtch]

thank you very much, and yes i did mean from the DT to the refuge, good catch
as far as a baffle to act as an overflow, could you elaborate more on that? perhaps send some pictures? i cant picture in my head what it is or how it works

 

[naclh2o nut]

Silicon a piece of glass into fuge shorter then the tank. Have the water flow over it then out the drain. If pump stops working then water would only drian out to level of baffle.

 

[spkdtch]

thanks, makes sense, like a mini damn, ill hopefully have it set up and running by this sunday night

 

[zoocraze]

I just spent about 1/2 a hour drawing a fuge and describing it and my inter-net went out. spkdtch if you still have questions or want tips let me know and I will post it again. Its to late to do it now.

 

[spkdtch]

wow, thanks zoo, didnt have to do that much work for me, i appreciate the hell out of the attempt i think i understand it now though