How should I add a refugium?? help please

[crashjt]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2869716
as you can see by my other threads started today i am busy stiring things up but will get with you again tonight if not on wed i am sure more of the good people will get involved

No problem as I said before I really appreciate your help therfore I have NO problem being patient....

 

[florida joe]

Ok on to your refug first things first you are going to need at the very least an acrylic tank so you can drill it and install bulk heads is that ok if so we can go from there don’t buy the tank yet just tell me if you can get one

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by CRASHJT
http:///forum/post/2867994
Also I was thinking of using one of those sock type inputs for the fuge would this be a good idea or really make no diff.
This is the basic Idea I was thinking of not saying that I would buy this exact one I'ld prolly make it myself but I like the input in the corner so there was more space for the plants...??whatcha think

How good are you with PVC piping if you are going to make the tank the easiest thing for starters would be to cut a gusset like in this pic and pipe it the same way for your influent you can use egg create for dividers in the tank also the black diffuser you see in front of the white influent pipe is no big deal to make your self you can use an out flow into your sump by cutting and putting a bulkhead in or use a pump i like the no pump idea and is what i use
remember this is the set up you are gonig to make

 

[florida joe]

Im getting into this ok do you see the pvc that is connected to your gray flexable hose it is bullheaded into your sump you can replace that elbow with a T and valve and that will be the feed into your refug

 

[florida joe]

Better yet cut into the gray flexable and add a T at a higher level then a valve a barb fitting and flexable hose to feed the refg all this may sound confusing but its really not it can all be worked out step by step

 

[crashjt]

O.K. I understand what you are saying but wont taping into that line reduce the flow to my sump or does that not really hurt? and Ill have to see about an acrylic tank??? not sure if I can get one local or not

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by CRASHJT
http:///forum/post/2871411
O.K. I understand what you are saying but wont taping into that line reduce the flow to my sump or does that not really hurt? and Ill have to see about an acrylic tank??? not sure if I can get one local or not
you are going to have a good flow through your refug back into your sump you will add enough water to keep the level you need also you are using the pump in your sump to to send the water back into your tank no pumps in your refug no added electric bills
most pet stores sell acrylic tanks

 

[crashjt]

What do they usually run?? So I know if Im getting robbed there arent very many good fish stores aroung here

 

[florida joe]

try ***** or petsmart they run one dollar a gallon sales often

 

[crashjt]

ok I stoped by my LFS today and he had a 10 gallon plastic/acrylic??? tank with a full hood and a 18watt PC light for 59.99 what do you think the only concern I have is that it is bowfront not really a big deal I guess but???

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by CRASHJT
http:///forum/post/2872535
ok I stoped by my LFS today and he had a 10 gallon plastic/acrylic??? tank with a full hood and a 18watt PC light for 59.99 what do you think the only concern I have is that it is bowfront not really a big deal I guess but???
Does the hood incorporate the light if so I would not get it? Just look into a ten-gallon for now. Remember you have to pipe into the top (easier with out the hood).
can you take a pic of how the water flows from your tank to the sump. over flow boxs ?

 

[florida joe]

You are going to try to duplicate the refug set up in the pic you posted by the way i saw that set up for $24. on line try to find out if its glass or not

 

[jojo727]

i've just caught up with this thread, Crash good job on expanding you system. the benefits will be tremendous. hey Florida Joe(i'm FLjoe on a couple of SW forums) great advice you have been giving, i hope you dont mind me giving a few opinions...
first i dont know how DIY savy you are but it may be worth you buying a glass hole drill and drilling the tank yourself. i'm pretty sure that tank isnt tempered so that wouldnt be a problem and with it being a 10g the glass isnt thick so it would be easy, just mark where you want to drill, let the water hose run in that area and let the drill do the work. then you have a drill bit that you can use if you ever choose to drill you display tank.
secondly, i see you have bio-balls and filter pads in your wet/dry. do you rotate them or what? have you considered removing them and adding LR there? i ask this because you say your main reason for this build is to control your nitrates, removing them will help dramatically. have you considered an Algae Turf Scrubber, it will do a better job at keeping the trates down?

 

[crashjt]

I havent done anything with the bio balls scince I got the tank up and running. I believe the only reason I have a trate problem is due to the fact that it was an established tank when I bought it and I think the move messed things up...... Im also considering new lights like T5's but I dont see the benefit there is currnetly Pc's on the tank 2 fixtures 1 has 2 actinic's at 65w and 2 day light 65w bulbs then the other fixture has 2 65w 50/50 bulbs I have been told to go to the tek 4 bulb lamp which has only 4 54w bulbs or the nova extreme pro which is like 6 54w I just dont see the benefit honestly all this stuff is starting to get really confusing???

 

[culp]

Originally Posted by CRASHJT
http:///forum/post/2879422
I havent done anything with the bio balls scince I got the tank up and running. I believe the only reason I have a trate problem is due to the fact that it was an established tank when I bought it and I think the move messed things up...... Im also considering new lights like T5's but I dont see the benefit there is currnetly Pc's on the tank 2 fixtures 1 has 2 actinic's at 65w and 2 day light 65w bulbs then the other fixture has 2 65w 50/50 bulbs I have been told to go to the tek 4 bulb lamp which has only 4 54w bulbs or the nova extreme pro which is like 6 54w I just dont see the benefit honestly all this stuff is starting to get really confusing???
the Nova Extreme pro even with 6 54 watt bulbs is still better than 8 CF bulbs.
you could even think about the 48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO
or the 48 inch 8x54W Sunlight Supply Tek Light High Output Fluorescent

 

[jojo727]

just my opinion, i would be the lighting on the back burner, it wont help cure your trate problem. moving the tank may have a little to do with the trates if the sandbed was stired up, but i believe you would have seen increase in your ammonia and nitrates as well. how long have you had this set up? if you're leaving the bioballs in continously they become trate farms because bad bacteria(anaerobic) consume that area and prevent the good bacteria (aerobic) from doing its job which causes the trates to start rising.

 

[jojo727]

very true Culp

 

[crashjt]

I understand what your saying about the trate problem.....by the way the sand was scooped into a box then scooped out so disturbed...hell yes anyway I guess I just dont understand the lighting end of things my tank is already pretty bright cant imagine it much brighter

 

[ilovemytank]

Here are a couple of pictures of mine. I tried it several ways thinking I didn't have to drill the tanks together. In the end there is only one answer. drill the tanks together.